The fire danger is High for the High Level Forest Area. Due to the warmer temperatures, spring winds and no significant rainfall in the forecast. Please use extra caution in areas of dry, dead grass. A Fire Ban and OHV Restriction are in place for the High Level Forest Area.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE | MAY 12, 2020 AT 7:00 p.m.
A new wildfire (HWF011) has been detected approximately 3.5 km east of the community of Fox Lake. This fire is classified as Out of Control (OC) at 20 hectares in size. Smoke is visible from the community of Fox Lake. There is no current threat to any homes or the community. There are eight firefighters, three helicopters and airtankers, working on this fire.
Click here for a map of all fire locations and their status within the High Level Forest Area.
Since March 1, 2020, the High Level Forest Area has recorded 9 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 3 hectares.
Since March 1, 2020, Alberta has recorded 141 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 70 hectares.
CHUCKEGG CREEK WILDFIRE | MAY 12, 2020 AT 3:00 p.m.
Due to the warmer temperatures and spring winds, a hotspot on the east side of the Chuckegg Creek fire is active today. This hotspot is burning within the fire perimeter and smoke from this hotspot is visible to nearby communities. There are 17 firefighters, 3 helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment working on extinguishing this hotspot.
Going into winter last year firefighters had recorded 50 hectares of active ground fire. Most of the areas discovered were in the east where the landscape is covered with peat moss. Peat moss can be challenging to work in as the fire can smoulder down to 10 feet. All these identifiable areas of ground fire were extinguished with heavy equipment.
Now with the snow gone, warmer temperatures and the spring winds, some new hotspots are being discovered on the east side of Chuckegg. All of these areas are within the fire perimeter. Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to work on extinguishing these areas and are monitoring for any new hotspots.
For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca
WEATHER
Today, the winds are out of the southwest at 15 km/h, with a high of 18 degrees and a relative humidity of 20 per cent. Tomorrow, the forecast is calling for lower temperatures into the single digits, higher relative humidity and gusty north to northwest winds. No significant rainfall expected.
NOTAM
There is a NOTAM in place in the High Level Forest Area. This means no aircraft or drones permitted to fly in the NOTAM. Aircraft flying within the NOTAM can impact wildfire operations and can be subject to a fine.
OHV RESTRICTION IN EFFECT | AS OF MAY 8, 2020
Due to the warmer temperatures, spring winds and no significant rain in the forecast the fire danger is climbing in the High Level Forest Area. Effective May 7, 2020 there is an OHV Restriction in effect for the High Level Forest Area.
The OHV restriction does not apply to private land or agriculture, institutional (educational), commercial/ industrial, emergency response, Indigenous peoples who use OHV for traditional use or 2020 Hunting License holders for black bear only.
Anyone found to be non-compliant of the fire ban may receive a violation ticket of $600 and non-compliant with the OHV restriction, a violation ticket of $1200.
The OHV restriction was enacted under section 14(1) of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act. This section gives the Minister the authority, by order, to close to public entry any land or prohibit the operation of equipment or off-highway vehicles on any land where the Minister considers that a fire hazard or a burning hazard warrants the closure or prohibition.
Please visit AlbertaFireBans.ca for a map of the affected area.
FIRE BAN IN EFFECT | AS OF APRIL 15, 2020
There is a fire ban in place inside the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, as well as in Alberta Provincial Parks and protected areas, until further notice. These steps are part of a number of actions the department is implementing to help mitigate wildfire risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.Taking action in advance to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires will allow Alberta Wildfire to make the best possible use of resources when the availability of firefighters could be reduced because of the pandemic.
Please visit AlbertaFireBans.ca for a map of the affected area.
FIRE PERMITS
Fire permits are suspended or cancelled. Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, but will need to be approved by a forest officer. Please call 780-926-5407.
Prohibited
• Wood campfires on public lands.
• Wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds.
• Backyard firepits, and
• Barbeques with charcoal briquettes.
Allowed
• Propane / natural gas powered appliances
• Open flame CSA approved oil devices
• Wood fires in an enclosed facility or device, which have a chimney with a spark arrestor
** All devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer standards. An enclosed facility or device is one that is fully contained with a chimney that has a spark arrestor. Users are still responsible for care and attendance of all devices and should reduce their use during fire restrictions and bans. Approved activities or devices will not prevent potential prosecution or litigation if the user or device starts a wildfire.
For more information, please contact: Phone: 1-866-394-3473
Victoria Ostendorf
High Level Forest Area,
Wildfire Information Officer
780-841-9387
RELATED INFORMATION
Websites:
- Alberta Wildfire
- Alberta Fire Bans
- FireSmart in Alberta
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- Air Quality Health Index
- Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation
Social Media:
