The Chuckegg and Jackpot Creek Wildfires remain Out of Control. Fire Ban and Off-Highway Vehicle Restriction continues due to the area receiving only scattered showers. Report new wildfires by calling 310-FIRE(3473).
(A crew working on the Jackpot fire pose for a picture)
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA UPDATE | JUNE 25, 2019 AT 11:30 AM
There are 5 active wildfires in the High Level Area. Of these fires; 2 are Out of Control (OC), 2 are Being Held (BH) and 1 is Under Control (UC). (For info regarding the Chuckegg Creek and the Jackpot Creek fires please see below for more info.) 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 196 hectares in size. There are 27 firefighters, with 3 helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire.
- Fire number, HWF088, is classified as Being Held (BH) and is located 10 km northwest of Hutch Lake. This fire is 216 hectares in size. Heavy equipment continues to establish a fireguard around the fire perimeter. There are 44 firefighters, 6 helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire.
***The next update will be at 8:00 p.m., or if conditions change.
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
Today’s weather forecast is for temperature highs around 18 to 19°C with relative humidity from 60 to 70%. Winds will be out of the NE 5-10 km/hr with 50 to 60% of thundershowers.
CHUCKEGG CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 25, 2019 AT 11:30 AM
Firefighters and heavy equipment have been making progress in all priority areas of the Chuckegg Creek wildfire. Yesterday, on the south side crews have advanced the construction of a dozer guard from Highway 35 to the Peace River. A small excursion, approximately 6.5 ha, east of the Peace River just northwest of La Crete was extinguished yesterday.
In the southwest moving north, crews will be continuing to build dozer guard followed by firefighters laying hose to reinforce the guard. In this area, the firefighters will be mopping up and patrolling the Paddle Prairie area. They will also be patrolling the fire perimeter and mopping-up inwards 100 feet. On the western side of the fire, firefighters will direct attack any hotspots along the perimeter and patrol/mop-up 100 feet into the fire. Heavy equipment will be working to build guard, heli-pads used for access, and clearing safety zone areas. Helicopters are also available to assist firefighters in this area, if support is needed. On the north end of the wildfire, crews will be working to extinguish large ash pits.
Firefighters will continue to extinguish hotspots identified through infrared scanning. On the eastern side, crews are conducting mop-up 100 feet from the guard into the fire. Crews will continue to move east to build dozer guard north of eastern side between Highway 35 and the Peace River. Firefighters will lay hose along this guard to reinforce the area. Firefighters and helicopters will also be working to extinguish hotspots. Due to current and forecasted conditions, there are no plans to conduct large ignition operations in the near future.
Today’s weather forecast is for temperature highs around 18 to 19°C with relative humidity from 60 to 70%. Winds will be out of the NE 5-10 km/hr with 50 to 60% of thundershowers. Yesterday, there was no growth of this wildfire and the fire behaviour is expected to be low again today. Smoke with continue to be visible within the fire perimeter especially on the East side near the community of La Crete.
Fire Department resources continue to work on hotspots along Highway 58, as safety is the highest priority, please slow down when driving in this area. Structure protection units remains in place, in the Blue Hills and Le Crete area.
- The fire is 331,946 hectares in size.
- There are 1,180 firefighters and personnel, 338 pieces of heavy equipment and 46 helicopters working on this fire.
THE JACKPOT CREEK FIRE UPDATE | JUNE 25, 2019 AT 11:30 AM
The forecast for today at the Jackpot Creek Fire calls for a continuing pattern of the same cool, wet weather we’ve seen over the last few days. Temperature for the area is expected to reach a high of 21, relative humidity of 50%, Northeast winds at 10 km/h, a 60% chance of showers and a risk of a thunderstorm.
Crews will continue working along the West side of Highway 35, securing dozer lines and establishing hose lays to prevent the fire from spreading towards the highway. Work will also continue on the Southwest side of Highway 35 as crews identify and extinguish hotspots.
The Jackpot Creek Fire Camp’s firefighter complement grew as a Newfoundland crew was welcomed in Monday evening. The Newfoundland crew will be joining existing crews on the fireline this morning as they continue suppression efforts.
- The fire is 77,468 hectares in size.
- There are 189 firefighters and personnel, 5 pieces of heavy equipment and 22 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 no significant rainfall. 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
Rosalie MacAulay | 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