The High Level Forest Area (HLFA) remains under a FIRE RESTRICTION (see details in orange below).
With cross-over conditions expected this weekend (see details below under "weather forecast" for the HLFA), which are conducive to increased fire activity, we ask everyone to be extremely careful.
If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, please call 310-FIRE (3473).
The forest area may experience heavy smoke over communities at times. Contact 811 for wildfire and smoke-related health concerns.
This update is best viewed on a web browser or the AB Wildfire Status App | View previous High Level Forest Area Updates. Bold indicates new or important information.
*The next update will be available tomorrow evening, unless conditions change.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION
The wildfire danger in the High Level Forest Area remains HIGH. This means that forest fuels are dry and fire risk is serious. Moderate-to-vigorous surface fire is expected, which may spread to treetops. Conditions may be challenging for fire suppression efforts.
There are currently 25 wildfires burning in the High Level Forest Area. Of these, seven are out of control, eight are being held, and 10 classified as under control. Two of these wildfires are carry-over fires from the 2023 season. There is also one wildfire along the Alberta-N.W.T. border.
Since January 1, 2024, there have been 166 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 268,660 hectares (ha).
NASA FIRMS Fire Information website is a great resource to give an approximate location of hotspots in an area, but cannot always be used to determine specifically where a wildfire is burning. The heat from smoke columns, reflections from water and other heat signatures will appear on the map. It's important to note that the data is based on a mathematical estimate (interpolation) and can often make a wildfire appear larger than it actually is.
You can view the location and statistics of these wildfires on our interactive map by following the active wildfire link. Visit our website to learn more about wildfire classifications.
WEATHER FORECAST: Tomorrow, the area expects to see a high of 33C with relative humidity (RH) of 20 percent and winds from the SE at 15-20 km/h. With temperatures expected to exceed RH, the area will likely experience what is referred to as cross-over conditions, which are conducive to increased fire activity.*
*Given this reality, and the fact there is no precipitation in the forecast, we ask everyone to be extremely careful and follow the rules under the current fire restriction (see details in orange below).
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | ACTIVE WILDFIRES OF INTEREST
HCX001 – Semo Complex (HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083, HWF136 and HWF141)
The Semo Wildfire Complex is located north of John D'Or Prairie, Garden River and Fox Lake. A few of the wildfires in this complex are located within Caribou Mountains Provincial Park. Firefighting efforts are supported by personnel from as far away as the Northwest Territories and Australia. The Ontario incident management team (IMT) will be transitioning with an Alberta IMT on Saturday, August 10.
There are currently 455 firefighters and support personnel, 24 helicopters and 103 pieces of heavy equipment working on the Semo Wildfire Complex.
HWF061 is a lightning-caused wildfire currently burning OUT OF CONTROL and was last estimated to be 97,526 hectares (ha). This wildfire is approximately 19 km northeast of the community of John D'Or Prairie, approximately 15 km north of the community of Fox Lake, and an estimated 1.9 km north of Highway 58.
HWF136 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL at approximately 6,135 ha in size. This wildfire is now located adjacent to Highway 58, due to successful ignition operations on July 21. It remains north of Highway 58 and is an estimated 13 km northwest of Garden River.
HWF053 is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL. This wildfire is located directly above (north of) HWF061 and is estimated to be 709 ha in size. This wildfire is currently being monitored.
Other fires on this complex are within or nearby Caribou Mountain Wildland Provincial Park. Most of these wildfires have been determined to be caused by lightning, but the newer ones’ causes remain under investigation. These fires will be monitored by fire personnel, with aircraft and further support as required. These wildfires include: HWF141, which is currently burning OUT OF CONTROL north of HWF061 and east of HWF081, covering approximately 2,300 ha; HWF081, which is OUT OF CONTROL and last estimated at 49,901 ha; and HWF083, which is OUT OF CONTROL at 32,840 ha.
An aerial view of the south side of HWF061 today (Aug. 9, 2024). HWF061 is the fire closest to the LRRCN communities of John D'Or Prairie and Fox Lake and, therefore, a top priority – along with HWF136, which is the closest to the LRRCN community of Garden River.
Note: There are some reflections from the helicopter on the bottom half of this photo.
Fire Operations
Firefighters, heavy equipment operators and helicopters with bucketing capability maintained their efforts to achieve goals and objectives along the southern perimeter of HWF061, and along HWF136’s perimeter. They also continue to identify hotspots and spot fires, and work to extinguish them on the southern perimeter of HWF061 and the northwest perimeter of HW136.
A substantial amount of work has been done on the southern end of HWF061; the guard has been completed from 2km west of Foggy Tower Road heading eastward, past the Wentzel River and halfway through the perimeter in between the main fire and the spot fire closest to Highway 58. Heavy equipment will be continuing this guard heading east. The guard on the east side of the fire is continuing, heading south, to eventually meet up with the heavy equipment group previously mentioned on the southern perimeter.
Heavy equipment is also making progress around the spot fire, working on the northern perimeter heading west, as well as rounding the west side going east. The northwest side of HWF061 is seeing a lot of fire activity which we continue to monitor; there are no concerns in that area. The southern perimeter continues to be the main priority.
Bucketing operations will continue overnight on the south side of HWF061, east of the Wentzel River.
On HWF136, heavy equipment operators have completed the guard around the fire, and are now assisting in areas that require further attention.
In the communities, the Structure Protection Unit (SPU) continues its work maintaining and testing systems.
Weather Forecast | Semo Complex
The temperature is forecast to reach 29 to 30C over the weekend with a relative humidity (RH) of 25 to 30 percent. Winds are expected from the south/southeast at 15 to 20km/h, with gusts up to 30km/h. No precipitation is anticipated.
Expand (click) to view the full public map of the Semo wildfire complex.
EVACUATION ALERTS AND ORDERS
Evacuation orders for Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN) communities have been lifted and re-entry for community members and residents of John D’Or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River started Aug. 5.
See updates on LRRCN's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/lrrcn or their website at https://lrrcn.ab.ca/.
OTHER ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA
HWF072, which is burning OUT OF CONTROL, is located 45 km west of Zama City and 60 km northwest of Chateh. It is estimated to be 18,170 ha in size. Two heavy equipment groups (10 pieces) are on scene and working on the NE side down towards the south end and around the remainder of the perimeter. Firefighters continue to work on hotspots and there is some ongoing heli-bucketing, as available and as required.
HTZ001 (bordering on the N.W.T. to the north), which included previous areas of concern to the NE and SE of Bistcho Lake, is now classified as BEING HELD. Please see NWT Wildfire Update Map and the South Slave SS009-24 Update for more information on the status of this and other fires on the N.W.T. side of the border.
The approximately 160 firefighters (which includes fire crews from Mexico, the Yukon and Australia) and support personnel, helicopters and heavy equipment previously assigned to the Melvin River Complex will be re-distributed in the coming days. This re-distribution will include retention of an adequate number of firefighters to focus on HWF072, along with many personnel taking much-needed and well-deserved days of rest, while others will be assigned to other areas/fires where they are required.
HWF133 is BEING HELD and estimated to be 336 ha in size. The cause of this fire remains under investigation.
HWF121 is BEING HELD and estimated to be 6,790 ha in size. The cause of this fire remains under investigation.
HWF102 is BEING HELD and estimated to be 6,958 ha in size. The fire was determined to have been caused by lightning.
HWF065 is BEING HELD and estimated to be 36,067 ha in size. This fire was determined to have been caused by lightning.
The four small fires north of the community of Rainbow Lake, which were detected late Friday (Aug. 2), are not presenting any threat at this time. Thanks to a quick initial response and follow-up by firefighters, two are under control and two are now extinguished.
*None of these wildfires listed in the above section currently threaten any communities. To view these and other wildfires in the province, view our interactive map by following the active wildfire link.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SITUATION (as of 10 a.m., Aug. 9)
The fire danger is mainly low to moderate in the Rockies. It is high to very high for the rest of the province.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 1043 wildfires burning a total of 604,275 hectares (ha).
Last year, on this date, there were 960 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,204,511 ha. In the past five years on this date, an average of 847 wildfires had burnt an average of 633,634 ha.
A FIRE RESTRICTION REMAINS IN EFFECT
Visit Alberta Fire Bans to see where fire bans or restrictions are in place in your area and learn what is prohibited and allowed under each.
FIRE PERMITS
At this time, all fire permits remain suspended in the High Level Forest Area. Essential burning may be allowed; an assessment for any permit will be made by a forest officer.
High Level Forest Area | Permit Line: 780-926-5407. Stay informed of fire restrictions and fire bans in your area by checking Alberta Fire Bans.
DANGEROUS TREES | Be extra cautious near burnt areas and avoid forested areas that have been recently affected by wildfire. Hazards remain from deep ash pits, burning peat and falling trees or branches, especially if windy.
SMOKE | Lingering smoke may still be visible in some areas and in affected communities. Smoke inversions can trap air near the ground causing dangerous driving conditions and poor air quality. Please use extra caution when driving in smoky conditions. To see forecasted smoke, please visit FireSmoke.ca. If you have smoke related health concerns, please visit or contact Alberta 811.
ALBERTA HEALTH WILDFIRE RESOURCES | You can visit Alberta Health Services for information on how you or your loved ones can access resources related to wildfire impacts and smoke concerns.
DRONES | The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada.
FireSmart is a national program that helps Canadians increase their resilience to wildfire. Whether you are a homeowner, resident, business, local government, or Indigenous community, you can take small steps with lasting impacts.
Vegetation management is the modification of wildland fuels for the purpose of mitigating the potential intensities and impact of wildfire. Vegetation management as a strategy for reducing wildfire hazard makes a lot of sense: wildfire requires fuel, in the form of vegetation, to burn. If we can change the fuel, we can change the wildfire's behaviour. For suggestions on landscaping tips, you can view the FireSmart Guide to Landscaping.
To learn more on how you can protect your home, visit FireSmart Alberta. For farm or acreages, you can download the Farm and Acreage FireSmart magazine.
WILDFIRE INFORMATION
- Visit firesmoke.ca to view smoke drifts in the area
- Call 811 for smoke related health concerns
- For evacuation information please visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx
- Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more all on your mobile device. Available for Apple and Android.
- Before heading out, check the fire bans website or download the app to determine if there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.
- Subscribe to the High Level Forest Area Update to receive an email when new information is posted. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
- Missed an issue of the High Level Forest area Wildfire Update? You can find previous updates on our website.
- For evacuation orders and alerts in the Province visit Alberta Emergency Alerts or your community webpage for more information.
- For road closure information, visit Alberta 511 or download the app.
- To see all the wildfires burning in Alberta click here.
- Learn how you can prepare yourself for a wildfire with some tips and tricks on wildfire preparedness
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wf.hcx0012024-iof.i@gov.ab.ca