High Level Area Update

High Level Forest Area Update - Fire Ban lifted - May 26, 2020

Posted on Tue, May 26, 2020

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The fire danger is LOW for the High Level Forest Area. The fire ban has been lifted and a fire advisory has been put in its place for the High Level Forest Area.


HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA WILDFIRE UPDATE | MAY 26, 2020 AT 12:00 p.m.

There are currently two wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Both of these fires are classified as Under Control (UC). Click here for a map of all fire locations and their status within the High Level Forest Area.

Wildfires of note:

  • Chuckegg Creek (May 2019), fire (HWF042) is classified as Under Control (UC). See below for more information.

Since March 1, 2020, the High Level Forest Area has recorded 17 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area that have burned a total of 83 hectares.

Since March 1, 2020, Alberta has recorded 243 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta that have burned a total of 429 hectares.

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Chucky May 15

(Firefighters working on a hotspot on the Chuckegg Creek fire)

CHUCKEGG CREEK WILDFIRE | MAY 26, 2020 AT 12:00 p.m.

A hotspot on the east side of the Chuckegg Creek fire is active. This hotspot is burning within the fire perimeter and is approximately 111 hectares in size. Smoke from this hotspot can be visible to nearby communities. There are 33 firefighters, two helicopters, and heavy equipment working on extinguishing this hotspot.

Firefighters have set up a base on the east side of the fire with firefighting resources and heavy equipment. This will allow firefighters to respond quickly to any new hotspots that may pop up. Firefighters continue to use infrared scanning to further identify hotspots on the east side of the fire as well.

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.

Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to work on extinguishing these areas and are monitoring for any new ones.

For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca.

Fire Advisory

FIRE ADVISORY IN EFFECT | AS OF MAY 26, 2020

In response to recent precipitation in many areas of the province, the fire ban in the Forest Protection Area has been revoked and a fire advisory has been put on in its place.

A fire advisory means Albertans in the Forest Protection Area can safely enjoy the use of a fire pit in their backyard, charcoal briquettes on a barbecue, or a safe campfire.

Permissible:

  • safe wood campfires on public land, private land or in provincial campgrounds as long as they are inside an engineered campfire ring
  • backyard fire pits
  • charcoal briquette barbecues
  • use of propane, natural gas or powered appliance
  • catalytic or infrared-style heaters
  • safe burning with a permit
  • recreational off-highway vehicle use

Not permissible:

  • burning (excluding campfires) without a permit
  • unattended or unsafe campfires

Restrictions can be phased back in as necessary to address wildfire risk area-by-area, allowing Albertans the freedom to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. We will re-evaluate daily.

We expect this fire advisory to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires in Alberta, while allowing Albertans to enjoy outdoor activities as much as possible.

Stay tuned to www.albertafirebans.ca throughout the wildfire season for more information about fire bans and restrictions in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

OHV Hot Spots

OHV RESTRICTION LIFTED | AS OF MAY 22, 2020

Because of the precipitation in many areas of the province, the off-highway vehicle restriction in effect in the High Level Forest Area, the Peace River Forest Area, the northeastern part of Slave Lake and the rural areas surrounding Fort McMurray has been lifted. This restriction can be phased back in if needed to address wildfire risk area-by-area. We will continue to evaluate the situation daily. 

If you choose to drive an off-highway vehicle in Alberta’s forested areas please remember:

  • OHV exhausts can get very hot, reaching temperatures of over 200 Celsius, causing debris caught near the exhaust to become superheated. This debris can potentially start a wildfire when it falls to the ground.
  • It is crucial for Albertans to stop and check OHVs and the ground for any debris that may have fallen.
  • Before you ride, clean any debris that has built up near the exhaust and muffler, under the seat, in wheel wells and around the engine.
  • Always carry a small fire extinguisher, a collapsible shovel and water. These tools can help extinguish a wildfire and safely dispose of hot debris.

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.

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For more information, please contact: Phone: 1-866-394-3473

Victoria Ostendorf

High Level Forest Area,

Wildfire Information Officer

780-841-9387

victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca

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