High Level Area Update

HWF047, which covered 1707 hectares (ha) approximately 40 km north of the Town of High Level, has now been EXTINGUISHED.

All wildfires in the Semo Complex are now under control — see below. HTZ001, along the Alberta-N.W.T. border, is now also under control.

If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, please call 310-FIRE (3473).

Farmers and others are encouraged to apply now for harvesting and burning permits — see below for further information.

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 sun rises on a cool morning just south of the High Level airport (Sept. 27, 2024). With fall and cooler weather upon us, farmers and others are encouraged to request burning and harvest permits while conditions are suitable to do so safely. While the risks of wildfire are normally lower at this time of year, they still remain and those with permits must use them in accordance with the conditions outlined when issued. 

HUNTING OR RECREATING NEAR WILDFIRE AREAS 

We urge everyone to use extra caution near burnt areas. There are many hazards that may not be visible, such as deep burning ash pits and falling trees. Burnt trees are a serious hazard, and trees that may look healthy, which have green needles or leaves, could have burnt-out roots under the ground and fall unexpectedly onto you or the road and block your vehicle. Please stay clear of active fire operation areas for the safety of our firefighters, aircraft, and equipment operators.

Never leave your cooking or warming fire unattended, and always ensure you fully extinguish it. Soak the ashes, stir them, and soak them again until they're cool to the touch.

IF YOU PLAN TO HARVEST IT, GET YOUR PERMIT

Personal Use Forest Products Permits are for small-scale personal use only (no resale) for Christmas trees, firewood or transplants. These free permits are available online or in person at your nearest forestry office. The PUFPP entitles individuals to:

1. Cut up to three Christmas trees under 2.5 m (approximately 8 feet in height and no more than 15 cm in diameter at the stump).
2. Transplant up to 20 trees less than 2.5 m in height.
3. Cut up to 5 cubic metres (5 m³) of firewood. The number of trees cut depends on tree species and size and is approximately:
   - 5 to 7 large coniferous trees (generally trees with needles), or
   - 4 to 6 deciduous trees (generally trees with leaves), or
   - 5 m³ is approximately 1.5 cords (approximately 3 level 1/2 ton pickup truck boxes).
4. Cut up to 5 m³ of roundwood timber (fence posts or poles).

PUFPPs authorize Albertans to cut and removed timber from designated Crown land only. The area-specific PUFPP document must be with you at all times while cutting or transporting trees from Crown land. In one 30-day period, a person can hold up to 4 permits – up to one permit each for:

• firewood
• Christmas trees
• roundwood
• transplants

IF YOU PLAN TO BURN IT, GET YOUR PERMIT

Fire permits are now required for any outdoor burning with the exception of campfires.

Fire permits are free and can be requested online. Visit firepermits.alberta.ca to request your fire permit online. You may also request your fire permit by calling your local Forestry Office.

High Level Forest Area | Permit Line: 780-926-5407.

Stay informed of fire restrictions and fire bans in your area by checking Alberta Firebans. 

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION

There are currently 15 wildfires burning in the High Level Forest Area. Of these, three are being held and 12 are classified as under control. There is also one wildfire along the Alberta-N.W.T. border. 

Since January 1, 2024, there have been 179 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 326,626 hectares (ha). 

HWF072, which is BEING HELD, is located 45 km west of Zama City and 60 km northwest of Chateh. This wildfire is estimated to be 35,914 ha in size. There are currently 69 firefighting personnel, five helicopters and 10 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to this wildfire. Heavy equipment operators continue working to establish and enhance containment lines — with a focus on the eastern perimeter — while firefighters and helicopters with buckets work on hotspots. The cause of this wildfire was 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 now classified as UNDER CONTROL and is being monitored. 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.

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.

Firefighters interact with children at the elementary school in the community of John D'Or Prairie, which is part of the Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN), to discuss fire safety while also displaying and explaining some of the tools used in their work (Sept. 17, 2024). The LRRCN also provides local firefighters and heavy equipment crews to assist with wildfire suppression in northern Alberta.

FIRE SAFETY ON THE FARM 

• 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