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 firefighters in the area, as they continue to remove or monitor equipment around homes and roadways in these Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN) 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.
Structural protection crews play a vital role in helping protect communities threatened or potentially threatened by wildfires. These crews have been very busy in recent weeks working to protect the LRRCN communities of John D'Or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River (August 22, 2024).
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION
There are currently 20 wildfires burning in the High Level Forest Area. Of these, two are out of control, 11 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 172 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 323,481 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 19C on Saturday with a relative humidity (RH) of 45 percent. Winds are expected from the north at 15 km/h. Some precipitation is forecast over the next 24 hours.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | ACTIVE WILDFIRES OF INTEREST
HCX001 – Semo Complex (HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083, HWF136, HWF141)
The Semo Wildfire Complex is located north of John D'Or Prairie and Fox Lake, and west of Garden River.
There are currently 495 firefighters and support personnel, 24 helicopters and 119 pieces of heavy equipment and water trucks 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 along the north side of Highway 58. It has not crossed over Highway 58 towards the south 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.
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 two of the wildfires remain under investigation (HWF136 and HWF141). These fires will be monitored by wildfire management personnel, using 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 Wildfire uses advanced technology – including drones* with infrared, thermal-imaging capability launched from ground locations (normally at night and always when no aircraft are in the area) – to scan fires in order to determine their size and the locations of hotspots. Along with aerial scans done by fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, the data received allows planners to more effectively assign firefighting personnel and resources where most needed (August 2024).
*While Alberta Wildfire uses drones under strict conditions to enhance fire suppression effectiveness, drone use by others is not allowed in the vicinity of wildfires – and can be an operational and safety issue (see below for further details).
Fire Operations (Semo Complex)
Firefighters continue to look for hotspots to extinguish along the southern perimeter of HWF061, and crews are being assisted by helicopters and heavy equipment. Heavy equipment operators continue to remove hazard trees along the southern perimeter, where crews are working to extinguish hotspots. A danger tree assessor is working with operational planners and crews to identify areas where more hazard trees may be present, in order to remove them. Today, we had some fire activity, but it was mainly on the northern edge of HWF083 and not towards any communities.
Crews. along with the support of helicopters, continue to look for hotspots to extinguish within the perimeter of HWF136. The majority of crews are working along the northeast and south side of the main fire perimeter, as these areas are burning hot and deep, making this tedious work requiring some precision.
Today, there were minimal hot spots found near Margaret Lake and crews continue to extinguish them as they appear. There were very few hotspots observed around Pitchimi Lake and structure protection units are still working to run their systems to protect these areas. Additionally, retardant lines were laid around structures requiring protection on Pitchimi Lake, as a long-term suppression tactic.
John D’Or Prairie’s structural protection equipment will stay in place, as a precaution, and will be running every couple of days to maintain the system. Residents and others in the vicinity are asked to watch out for additional firefighters and equipment in the area.
Weather Forecast
Tomorrow, the temperature is forecasted to reach 16C with a relative humidity around 55 percent. Winds are expected from the northeast at 15-20 km/h, gusting up to 35 km/h and shifting to come from the north at 25-30 km/h, while also gusting at 40-50 km/h by 6 p.m. There’s a 70-percent chance of 1-5 mm of precipitation, which, depending on where it falls, could have a suppressive impact on the wildfire.
There may be lingering smoke drifts from the Northwest Territories, but they are expected to dissipate over the weekend.
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, which allowed air and ground operations today.
There are 112 firefighting personnel, 10 helicopters and two dozer groups (10 pieces) of heavy equipment assigned to HWF072. Heavy equipment operators continue working to establish and 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 1,707 ha. Approximately 50 firefighters and four helicopters are assigned to HWF047, continuing their work towards extinguishing 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. 23)
The fire danger is moderate to high across much of the Forest Protection except for areas of eastern Alberta and pockets of the High Level, Grande Prairie, and Calgary Forest Areas where the fire danger is very high. The fire danger is very high to extreme in much of the agricultural zone.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 1103 wildfires burning a total of 703,604 hectares (ha).
Last year, on this date, there were 983 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,204,517 ha. In the past five years on this date, an average of 915 wildfires had burnt an average of 635,836 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
