The Chuckegg and Jackpot Creek wildfires remain out of control.
Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction continues.
The fire danger remains high as the area needs a significant and widespread rainfall for the danger to be reduced.
Report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473).
BC crews helping out on the fire line.
Click here for a map of all fire locations and their status within the High Level Forest Area.
Firefighters, helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are positioned throughout the High Level Forest Area to respond to any new wildfire starts. Please report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE.
FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION REMAIN IN EFFECT
A Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction is in effect for the High Level Forest Area due to dry conditions and no significant rainfall in the forecast. The ban and restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve. All fire permits are suspended and no new fire permits will be issued.
Prohibited
- All open fires including campfires in campgrounds, backcountry and random camping areas and backyard fire pits.
- Charcoal briquettes, turkey fryers and tiki torches.
- Fireworks and exploding targets.
- The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational use on all public lands.
Allowed
- Portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved or UL certified.
- Gas or propane stoves and barbecues that are CSA approved or UL certified and are designed for cooking or heating.
- Catalytic or infrared-style heaters.
Visit albertafirebans.ca for more information or download the new Alberta Fire Bans mobile app.
THE CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE
Today was a relatively quiet day for fire behavior, despite the limited cloud cover and sunny conditions.
- The north section of the fire, north of Hwy 58 was looking very good today. The perimeter in this section has not changed for several days. Dozer guard is complete and crews continue to work from the outside of the fire inwards about 100 meters, extinguishing hot spots and attacking any trouble areas.
- The west side of the fire was also fairly quiet today, giving crews a day to work on hotspots, strengthen guard, and remove unburned fuels close to the edge of the fire.
- Crews made a significant push today along the southwest and south sides of the fire. In a search and destroy mission, crews supported by helicopters with buckets extinguished hotspots around the Paddle Prairie community working towards making the community safe enough for residents to return home. Other crews worked to strengthen the guard on the southwest side, bracing to withstand potential SE winds in the forecast.
- On the southeast side, east of the Peace River, crews, heavy equipment and helicopters with buckets worked to contain this section of the fire and strengthen the contingency guard. Please note that there are burning and smouldering windrows in this area kicking up fair amounts of smoke. Fire activity could increase here with the stronger winds in the forecast however we don’t anticipate this to be a problem for tomorrow. Spot fires from ember transfer could be an issue in the coming days and with switching winds. We will be watching for this.
- On the east side, a burn planned for this afternoon, was cancelled as it was too wet in that area from yesterdays thundershower. We will try again when conditions improve. Crews and helicopters with buckets worked all day in this area to extinguish hot spots and secure the perimeter.
The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 28 degrees with 25% humidity and winds S/SE 10-15 km/hr. There is a slight risk of thundershowers for the afternoon. The residual effects of the rain we had over the past two days will be negligible by tomorrow, under the hot, dry and windy conditions. Fire behavior will be significant again on Sunday, with potential for embers to travel between 200 to 300 meters from their source.
According to the forecast, Monday is an even more significant day for potential fire behavior. With temperatures of 30 degrees, humidity of 25% and winds 20 km/hr gusting to 35 km/hr that will switch from SE to SW during the afternoon under peak burning conditions. There is some good news if the forecast holds true, with rain on the horizon for Tuesday and Wednesday.
We understand everyone is anxious to get home, lift evacuation alerts and open highways. Our crews are working as hard as possible to make things safe. Given the potential for aggressive fire behavior for the next several days, please be patient. There is still active fire on the landscape. Additionally, due to the ferocity of the fire, many trees have burned roots and are blowing over causing safety issues. With the winds forecast for Monday, we can expect to see falling trees as well as potential embers carried by the wind with the ability to start new fires where they land.
As a point of interest, there is more than 166 kilometers of hose on this fire! In a straight line, that’s enough hose to reach from High Level to Manning, or from High Level past Rainbow Lake!
- The current size of the fire is 275,090 hectares. The current map is below.
- There are 894 firefighters and support staff, 46 helicopters and 153 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.
THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE
Heavy equipment continues to build fireguard to the northwest. The fire expanded in the southeast corner but 3 tanker groups worked on containing the excursion. Crews and staff are looking to try and place heavy equipment across the Hay River to the south. Crews continue to work the south and west flanks west of the highway and are having good success holding the line.
- There are 88 firefighters and support staff, 10 helicopters and 2 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.
- The last recorded size is 45,023 ha.
ALERTS AND EVACUATIONS
PADDLE PRAIRIE METIS SETTLEMENT
Paddle Prairie has an evacuation order in place. Evacuees should register at the reception centre located at the Grande Prairie Regional College. The reception centre phone number is 780-567-5587. For information on the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement evacuation, please visit their Facebook page.
COUNTY OF NORTHERN LIGHTS
At 8:00 a.m. Friday, June 14th, 2019 the Joint Emergency Coordination Centre for the Town of Manning and the County of Northern Lights RESCINDS the Evacuation Alert Status for the following boundaries:
Evacuation Alert has been lifted for:
- Town of Manning
- Northward from Township Road 910, (North Star Road)
- Everyone west from Range Road 231
- Everyone west from the Notikewin River
- Everyone south of the County’s northern boundary (Keg River/Carcajou)
More information on the Alert Status being lifted can be found on the County of Northern Lights webpage.
TOWN OF HIGH LEVEL | MACKENZIE COUNTY | DENE THA
The Town of High Level, Mackenzie County and Dene Tha have lifted the eight-hour evacuation alert. However, stay prepared and stay informed. All residents of the area should continue to check the following links and listen to local radio for updates.
- Alberta Emergency Alert, Download the mobile app.
- Town of High Level Website or Facebook page
- Mackenzie County Facebook Page
ALBERTA TRANSPORTATION
Alberta Transportation has reopened Highway 35 south of High Level with the aid of a police escort to ensure travelers safety; expect delays. Highway 697 east of Highway 35 to the La Crete Ferry remains closed. The La Crete Ferry is also closed. To stay informed on all road closure info visit the Alberta Transportation website or download the mobile app.
SMOKE ISSUES
Smoke from wildfires in northern Alberta has caused poor air quality and reducing visibility at times. Winds will continue to shift bringing smoky conditions. For health related smoke issues, please visit Alberta Health Services.
Leslie Lozinski | Wildfire Information Officer | Chuckegg Creek
Mobile: 780-623-9758
1-866-FYI-FIRE
Stephanie Grocholski | Wildfire Information Officer | High Level Forest Area
Mobile: 780-926-7509
1-866-FYI-FIRE
stephanie.grocholski@gov.ab.ca
RELATED INFORMATION
- Alberta Wildfire Status
- Alberta Fire Bans
- Air Quality Health Index
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation