The wildfire danger in the High Level Forest Area remains HIGH.
The High Level Forest Area remains under a FIRE RESTRICTION (see details below).
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 smoke-related health concerns.
*Residents and others in the vicinity of John D'Or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River are asked to watch out for additional firefighters in the area, as they work to remove equipment around homes and roadways in their communities.
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.
Helicopters assist fire crews by bucketing on large hotspots on the Semo Complex today (Aug. 21).
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION
There are currently 21 wildfires burning in the High Level Forest Area. Of these, two are out of control, 12 are being held, and seven are classified as under control. There is also one wildfire along the Alberta-N.W.T. border.
Since January 1, 2024, there have been 171 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 323,466 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: The temperature in the area is expected to reach 23C on Thursday with a relative humidity (RH) of 35 percent. Winds are expected from the south at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h. No precipitation is in the forecast.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | ACTIVE WILDFIRES OF INTEREST
HCX001 – Semo Complex (HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083, HWF136, HWF141, HWF171)
The Semo Wildfire Complex is located north of John D'Or Prairie and Fox Lake, and west of Garden River.
There are currently 586 firefighters and support personnel, 24 helicopters and 123 pieces of heavy equipment and water trucks currently working on the Semo Wildfire Complex.
HWF061 is a lightning-caused wildfire currently burning OUT OF CONTROL and was last estimated to be 106,503 hectares (ha). This wildfire is approximately 8.8 km northeast of the community boundary line of John D'Or Prairie, approximately 10.7 km north of the community boundary line of Fox Lake, and an estimated 1.7 km north of Highway 58.
HWF136 is currently BEING HELD at approximately 6,158 ha in size. This wildfire is located adjacent to Highway 58. It remains north of Highway 58 and is an estimated 13 km northwest of Garden River. Being held means that this fire is not expected to grow beyond established boundaries under the current conditions.
HWF053 is classified as BEING HELD. This wildfire is located north of HWF061 and is estimated to be 709 ha in size.
HWF171 is classified as BEING HELD. This wildfire, which was detected this afternoon, is located northwest of HWF136 and is estimated to cover an area of 0.01 ha. There are aircraft actively bucketing and firefighters will continue to action the fire, as necessary. A night-vision-capable helicopter will also continue operations into the night.
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 other wildfires remain under investigation. These fires will be monitored by fire personnel, with aircraft and further support as required. These wildfires include: HWF141, which is classified as BEING HELD north of HWF061 and east of HWF081, covering approximately 2,535 ha; HWF081, which is BEING HELD and is 50,461 ha; and HWF083, which is BEING HELD at 33,974 ha.
Alberta firefighters work with their Costa Rican counterparts to extinguish hotspots on HWF061, the only remaining out-of-control wildfire in the Semo Complex (Aug. 20, 2024).
Fire Operations (Semo Complex)
Firefighters continue to look for hotspots along the southern perimeter of the guard om HWF061; they will be assisted by helicopters and heavy equipment. Operators are using heavy equipment to clean up fallen trees and line on the northwest perimeter of the bay, north of the spot fire. Heavy equipment operators are building a containment line, running north from highway 58 to the west side, for additional containment and better access for crews. Additional guard will be constructed, as needed, but there is no significant spread due to cooler weather and suppression efforts.
Crews, with the support of helicopters, are looking for any hotspots to extinguish within the perimeter of HWF136. The concentration of crews is along the northeast and south side of the main fire perimeter, as these areas are burning hot and deep.
There was no fire activity near structures or other values on Margaret Lake today, and no new hotspots observed around Pitchimi Lake, but the Structural Protection Unit (SPU) is still working to run its systems to protect these areas.
The SPU is removing its equipment in Garden River and the quick fill sites in Fox Lake, which will take about three days; however, the SPU's equipment in John D’Or Prairie’s will stay in place, as a precaution. There is no immediate or foreseeable threat (with current conditions and resources) from HWF136 or HWF061 to the communities of Garden River and Fox Lake. Residents and others in the vicinity are asked to watch out for additional firefighters in the area, as they work to remove equipment around homes and roadways.
Due to a weather change, smoke from fires in the N.W.T. is expected in the communities on Thursday.
Weather Forecast
Tomorrow, the temperature is forecast to reach 18C with a relative humidity (RH) around 50 percent. Winds are expected from the south-southwest at approximately 20-25km/h, gusting at 30-40km/h.
View the full public map of the Semo Wildfire Complex.
Contained fire line: a secured perimeter of at least 10 feet that is maintained by firefighters using mechanical, hose line, or natural barriers.
Controlled fire line: a secured perimeter of at least 100 feet, including around all hot spots that are an immediate threat, which is expected to hold under the foreseeable conditions.
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. This fire is estimated to be 36,291 ha in size. Visibility remains good, allowing air and ground operations today.
There are approximately 120 firefighting personnel, 10 helicopters and two dozer groups (10 pieces) of heavy equipment assigned to HWF072. Heavy equipment operators continue working to enhance containment lines around the perimeter, while firefighters (supported by heli-bucketing) work on hotspots. The cause of HWF072 has been determined to be lightning.
HWF047, which is UNDER CONTROL, is approximately 30 km north of the Town of High Level and covers an area of 1707 ha. Approximately 50 firefighters and four helicopters are assigned to HWF047, as we work to extinguish this wildfire.
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 classified as BEING HELD and is being monitored closely. 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.
*No growth has been observed on the above-noted wildfires and none currently threaten communities. To view these and other wildfires in Alberta, view our interactive map by following the active wildfire link.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SITUATION (as of 10 a.m., Aug. 21)
The fire danger is mainly low to moderate throughout the Forest Protection Area, with pockets of high to very high fire danger along the northern border and Calgary Forest Area. The fire danger is very high to extreme in the agricultural zone.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 1097 wildfires burning a total of 705,766 hectares (ha).
Last year, on this date, there were 977 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,204,517 ha. In the past five years on this date, an average of 907 wildfires had burnt an average of 635,625 ha.
FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT
A fire restriction remains in place for the High Level Forest Area.
Under this restriction, existing fire permits are restricted, suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.
Prohibited:
- Wood campfires on public land
- Fireworks and exploding targets
Allowed:
- Safe wood campfires in a designated campground, on private land and in backyard fire pits
- Charcoal briquette barbeques
- Propane/natural gas powered appliances
- Open flame oil devices
- Indoor wood fires
If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.
The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Visit Alberta Fire Bans for more information.
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
