*** ALL ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE AREA ARE NOW BEING HELD OR UNDER CONTROL.***
The High Level Forest Area is NO LONGER UNDER A FIRE RESTRICTION, which was officially rescinded on Aug. 27.
Cooler temperatures and precipitation have allowed the lifting of this restriction. Farmers and others with debris to be burned are encouraged to get their fire permits now, while conditions are conducive to controlled and careful burning.
If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, please call 310-FIRE (3473).
Updates will now be posted daily at approximately 11:00 a.m., unless conditions change.
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.
An aerial view of one of the helicopter bases at the Semo Wildfire Complex (Sept. 2, 2024). These bases allow essential air support – providing heli-bucketing and the transport of crews and gear – to fire suppression efforts on the ground.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION
There are currently 21 wildfires burning in the High Level Forest Area. Of these, 13 are being held, and eight are classified as under control. There is also one wildfire along the Alberta-N.W.T. border.
Since January 1, 2024, there have been 175 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 327,364 hectares (ha).
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.
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 501 firefighters and support personnel, including 26 helicopters and 101 pieces of heavy equipment and water trucks working on the Semo Wildfire Complex.
All of the wildfires within the Semo Complex are classified as BEING HELD. Being held means that these wildfires are not expected to grow beyond established boundaries under the current conditions.
HWF061 is approximately 106,728 hectares (ha), was caused by lightning and is located approximately:
- 8 km northeast of the community boundary line of John D'Or Prairie
- 7 km north of the community boundary line of Fox Lake
- 7 km north of Highway 58
HWF136 is approximately 5,885 ha in size and the cause of this wildfire is under investigation. This wildfire is located along the north side of Highway 58 and is approximately 13 km northwest of Garden River.
Other fires in this complex are further north, within or near Caribou Mountain Wildland Provincial Park. All of these fires were caused by lightning, except for HWF141, which remains under investigation. These wildfires include:
- HWF053, which is approximately 709 ha in size.
- HWF081, which is approximately 52,026 ha in size.
- HWF083, which is approximately 35,407 ha in size.
- HWF141, which is approximately 2,537 ha in size.
Fire Operations
Firefighters continue progress on a 100-foot control line along the southern perimeter of HWF061, aided by bucketing helicopters. We currently have four feller bunchers, which are pieces of heavy equipment that can cut down trees easily and safely, working to remove hazardous trees to improve crew safety. Intense fires often weaken tree roots, making them prone to falling and posing a risk to firefighters. Heavy equipment operators then remove these hazardous trees to make a clear line for crews and other equipment.
Crews are making good progress on HWF136, strategically locating and extinguishing hotspots within the fire perimeter, with helicopter support. They are working toward establishing a 100-foot controlled line.
The postponed low-level scan has been rescheduled for tonight when, hopefully, visibility will allow this to proceed. Cloud cover can often impact the ability to complete these scans. Low-level scans refine the perimeter boundary, helping better assess the length of perimeter and allocating resources.
Structure protection equipment at Pitchimi Lake will stay up, as a precaution.
Weather Forecast
Today, we expect a high of 18C with a relative humidity of 55 per cent. Winds are expected from the northwest at approximately 10-15 km/h. There’s a 60 per cent chance of 1-4 mm of precipitation. Yesterday, we received the forecasted 1-5 mm of precipitation on the complex.
We are experiencing an unseasonable trend of hot and dry weather, which may lead to increased fire behaviour along sections of the perimeter where crews haven’t been working. However, these areas are not near any communities.
In addition to airtankers that drop retardant, Alberta Wildfire also operates skimmers, which skim or pick up water from lakes (in the vicinity of active wildfires) to drop on targeted hotspots, as required. This skimmer was part of a training exercise at Hutch Lake, just north of the Town of High Level, in late August 2024.
OTHER ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA
HWF072, which is now BEING HELD (as of late Sunday), is located 45 km west of Zama City and 60 km northwest of Chateh. This wildfire is estimated to be 35,921 ha in size. Visibility remains good, which is allowing air and ground operations today.
There are approximately 85 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.
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 significant 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
The fire danger is very high in the eastern half of the province and very high to extreme in the agricultural zone and Grande Prairie region. Fire danger is low to moderate in the Rocky Mountains, the northwest boreal and the south central boreal. Fire danger is high elsewhere.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 1132 wildfires burning a total of 708,300 hectares (ha).
Last year, on this date, there were 993 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,204,523 ha. In the past five years on this date, an average of 953 wildfires had burnt an average of 635,888 ha.
WILDFIRE SAFETY MESSAGES
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.
FIRE SAFETY AND FARM MACHINES
As we transition into the harvest season, the combine harvester becomes a familiar sight. These enormous machines are built to separate seeds from dry crop plants and discard remaining material.
It is well known among farmers and rural residents that the combine is the farm machine the most at risk of fire. The reason is not the machine itself, but rather the tinder-dry material that the combine works with and the heat caused by long hours of continuous operation.
Mitigating fire risk on the combine can be divided into three categories:
✅Prevention:
- Clearing out any excess chaff around the engine, radiator, exhaust, bearings, augers, belts and chains
- Cleaning any excess oil, fuel, grease, and other leaks
- Replacing any damaged electrical wiring, exhaust systems, and drive belts
- Shutting off the combine before fueling
- Lubricating moving components, according to manufacturer recommendations
- Storing the combine away from external heat sources
- Ceasing operations during excessive heat
✅Monitoring:
- Performing a walk-around inspection of the combine after morning start-up and evening shut-off
- Routinely checking temperature gauges and sensors
✅Suppression:
- Be sure to have up-to-date ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers: a 10-lb extinguisher in the cab, and a 20-lb extinguisher at ground level. Know where they are and how to use them.
- In the event of a combine fire:
- shut off the engine
- exit the combine
- call 911
- if using a fire extinguisher, aim for the base of the fire
Tractors, combines, swathers, balers, and other heavy machinery on the farm can all cause wildfires. Prevention is the best way to protect people, homes, landscapes and livelihoods.
Learn more about reducing wildfire risks on the farm; download the FireSmart Farm and Acreage Guide.
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
