The Chuckegg and Jackpot Creek Wildfires remain Out of Control. Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction continues. Report new wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473).
(Firefighters on the Chuckegg Creek fire pose for a group picture after a long days work)
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA UPDATE | JUNE 21, 2019 AT 10:30 AM
There are 7 active wildfires in the High Level Area. Of these fires; 3 are Out of Control (OC), 1 is Being Held (BH) and 3 are Under Control (UC). (For info regarding Chuckegg Creek and the Jackpot fire please see below.) Click here for a map of all fire locations and their status within the High Level Forest Area.
Wildfires of note;
- Fire number, HWF091, is classified as Being Held (BH) and is located approximately 5 km southeast of the community of Fox Lake at 135 hectares in size. Heavy equipment has completed a fire guard around the west side of the fire and is now working on the south side. There are 24 firefighters, with 3 helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire.
- Fire number, HWF088, is classified as Out of Control (OC) and is located 10 km northwest of Hutch Lake. This fire is 216 hectares in size. The fire saw minimal growth yesterday, as airtankers and helicopters with water buckets were able to support firefighters on the ground. Heavy equipment continues to establish a fireguard around the fire perimeter. The fire is located 25 km southeast of Meander River, 44 km northwest from the Town of High Level/Bushe and approximately 20 km northwest from Hutch Lake Cabin area. Alberta Transportation is on site monitoring smoke concerns on the highway. There are 30 firefighters, and 3 helicopters working on this fire.
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.
Be prepared, stay informed. Download the Alberta Emergency Alert App or visit their website by Clicking Here. You can also check with the County, the Town or your local community to see if new alerts or evacuation orders have been issued.
WEATHER
The forecast for today is for a high of 20 degrees, 40-45% humidity, winds from the N/NE at 15-20 km/hr and a chance of showers. Saturday is going to be hot and drier with southeast winds. Sunday is back to cool and showers. For those of you tracking rain, we need about 20 ml of widespread rain to make a difference on the wildfire.
CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 21, 2019 AT 10:30 AM
Despite the cooler, more humid overnight conditions, the wind stayed constant through the night and the fire continued to edge towards the Peace River. There was little overnight growth on the rest of the wildfire.
It’s raining on parts of the fire, but not everywhere. Near High Level and Watt Mountain have received about 3 ml, the west side of the fire received just over 2 ml, and Thompkins Landing and Rocky Lane areas have received no rain since noon yesterday.
If the area around Devil Lake stays rain free, and the humidity levels are optimal, we will proceed with the controlled ignition operation planned for this area today. With winds from the northeast, smoke will be visible in this area and drifting southwest.
- A 20 person crew with pumps and hoses, axes and shovels, and support from helicopters with buckets is working to extinguish the spot fire on the east side of the Peace River. They are making good progress. Dozer guard is in place across the narrow piece between the river, isolating the spot fire.
- North of the river and ahead of the fire, heavy equipment continues to work to reinforce dozer guards tying into the gravel road network and from the River to the creek.
- The north side of the fire is looking good. Crews were working on a few hotspots that were smoking along the highway today.
- The fire was quiet on the west side yesterday. Crews and heavy equipment continue to work along this edge to remove vegetation from along the perimeter. Heavy equipment continued to work in the southwest corner strengthening the defensible space around the Chain Pond area.
- The area around Paddle Prairie is smoky but ground fire is controlled. There is still a significant amount of smoke in the area and residents can expect to see smoke and smouldering for weeks to come. Trees are falling and present danger hazards due to root burn. Northerly winds for the next four days will knock trees down and blow lots of smoke into this community.
- On the southeast part of the fire, east of the Peace River, there continues to be lots of smoke from burning in windrows and peaty soils.
- The structure protection unit made good progress again today. They have completed or are in the process of completing structure assessment, deployment or preparation on the rural properties south of High Level, in the Devil Lake area, west of LaCrete, in the Blue Hills area and the Beaver First Nations area. Protection is complete at Norbord and we are working on Tolko. This unit will work through the night patrolling, deploying structure protection and doing FireSmart preparation work as they are able.
- The fire is now 331, 245 hectares.
- There are 816 firefighters and personnel, 52 helicopters, 153 pieces of heavy equipment.
THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE | JUNE 21, 2019 10:30 AM
Heavy equipment and firefighters have established a fireguard on the west, southeast and the west side of the Hay River on the north part of the fire. Air support continues to support firefighters by working to prevent the fire from reaching Highway 35, and with today's weather conditions they continued to be effective. Firefighters continue to work on extinguishing hotspots on the west side of the fire in priority areas. The fire continues to hold in the southwest and on the north side, west of Hay River, with minimal growth reported today.
- The north part of the fire is approximately 11 km from the Northwest Territories border.
- Indian cabins has not been impacted at this time and structure protection has been established.
- There are 187 firefighters and personnel, 23 heavy equipment pieces and 25 helicopters working on this fire.
ALERTS AND EVACUATIONS | BE PREPARED, STAY INFORMED
MACKENZIE COUNTY
Mackenzie County residents looking for information regarding evacuations and alerts please visit the Mackenzie County Facebook page.
- Alberta Emergency Alert, Download the mobile app.
TOWN OF HIGH LEVEL
For information regarding evacuations or alerts, please visit the Town of High Level Facebook page.
- Alberta Emergency Alert, Download the mobile app.
ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
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.
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.
Victoria Ostendorf | Wildfire Information Officer | High Level Forest Area
Mobile: 780-841-9387
1-866-FYI-FIRE
Leslie Lozinski | Wildfire Information Officer | Chuckegg Creek Wildfire
Phone: 780-653-0151 ext. 1052
1-866-FYI-FIRE
RELATED INFORMATION
- Alberta Wildfire Status
- Alberta Fire Bans
- Air Quality Health Index
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation