Hot and dry conditions persist with no significant rainfall in the forecast. Please use caution in forested areas as fires start and spread quickly in these conditions. Stay informed of the changing fire situation and listen to your local authority for alerts. To report a wildfire call 310-FIRE (3473).
FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT | AS OF JUNE 22, 2023
A fire restriction is in effect for the High Level, Peace River and Fort McMurray Forest Areas, as well as the northern part of the Grande Prairie Forest Area.
Under this restriction:
- Existing fire permits are suspended, and cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.
- Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds are allowed.
Prohibited:
- All outdoor wood fires are banned on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas.
- The use of fireworks and exploding targets is also prohibited.
Allowed:
- Safe wood campfires on private lands and in provincial campgrounds.
- Backyard fire pits, charcoal briquette barbeques.
- Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances.
- Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor.
- Cooking, warming and lighting devices – all devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer’s standards.
Stay away from active wildfire areas | For your safety and to ensure firefighters can do their job safely, please stay away from active wildfire areas. Your cooperation is essential.
Dangerous trees | Be extra cautious near burnt areas and avoid forested areas that have been recently affected by wildfire. Hazards remain from deep ash pits, burning peat and falling trees or branches, especially if windy.
Reporting wildfires | Please do not report smoke or flame from within an active wildfire area. Firefighters are diverted from essential tasks to respond to fires reported by the public. You may see smoke or flame within the existing boundary of a wildfire, this is normal.
Smoke | Lingering smoke may still be visible in some areas and in affected communities. Smoke inversions can trap air near the ground causing dangerous driving conditions and poor air quality. Please use extra caution when driving in smoky conditions, and take necessary precautions if you have smoke-related health concerns.
Drones | The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada
Fire Danger Rating for today July 10, 2023.
WEATHER |
Hot and dry conditions persist with no significant rainfall in the forecast. Tomorrow, the forecast is as follows: a temperature of 24 degrees, a relative humidity of 40 percent with winds, east-south-southeast at 15 km/h.
There is a special air quality statement for High Level. For more information please visit weather.gc.ca
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | JULY 10, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
There are 33 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, nine are classified as out of control (OC), 16 are being held (BH) and eight are under control (UC). Firefighters responded to two new wildfires in the past 24 hours. To see a map of the wildfires in the High Level Forest Area and across the province please click here.
Wildfires of interest
HWF124 | The wildfire is located approximately 35 km east of Meander River. The fire is classified as out of control (OC) at 160 ha. Today, airtankers were sent to help with suppression efforts. Crews and helicopters will continue to work on building containment lines. The fire is growing to the north and there is no immediate risk to communities.
HWF123 | The wildfire is located in the community boundary of North Tall Cree. The fire is classified as being held (BH) at 20 hectares. Today, 4 firefighters, one helicopter will work to extinguish hotspots. Heavy equipment has completed building containment lines around the wildfire. There is no risk to the community at this time.
HWF115 | This fire is located approximately 20 km north of the highway 58 and highway 88 junction. This fire is classified as being held (BH) at 1.1 hectares. There are 4 firefighters and one helicopter working on the wildfire.
Early morning crew drop-off, July 8, 2023.
THE OWL FIRE COMPLEX |HWF072, HWF083, HWF087, HWF092 | July 10 AS OF 12:00PM
HWF072 | This fire was detected June 23, 2023. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 21,716 hectares. The fire is approximately 14 km southwest of the South Tall Cree boundary at highway 88. Due to the close proximity of this fire to the community, South Tall Cree First Nation has issued an evacuation alert. Mackenzie County has also evacuated the Wadlin Lake campground and closed the road.
There are hotspots along the south side of the fire but the fire was mostly active on the northwest and southwest yesterday with significant growth as it moves away from the community of South Tall Cree. Heavy equipment, crews and aircraft are making great progress establishing containment lines on the northeast side of the fire to limit spread towards the community of South Tall Cree.
HWF087 | This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 6,122 hectares. This fire is located approximately 3 km south of Harper Creek. There was growth reported yesterday on the northwest and southwest flank and was moving further west due to the east winds. No communities are at risk at this time. Firefighters are monitoring this fire.
HWF083 | This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 7,519 hectares. This fire is located approximately 34 km southeast of the South Tall Cree boundary at the Wabasca River. Yesterday, there was an increase in fire activity on the northwest down to the southwest of this fire. No communities are at risk at this time. Firefighters are monitoring this fire.
Resources
There are 40 firefighters, five helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire. Airtankers are available as needed.
The Incident Management Team (IMT) continues to work closely with community members on understanding the local landscape and getting access to the fire ground. Alberta Wildfire is communicating with council and county partners as the fire situation changes.
Weather
Today, the forecast is calling for a temperature of 24 degrees with southeast winds at 15-20 km/h gusting to 30 km/h.
THE BEACH ROAD FIRE | HWF064 | JULY 10, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
This fire was detected June 9, 2023. This fire is classified as being held (BH) with a last recorded size of 4,553 hectares. Being held means given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past predetermined boundaries. The fire is located approximately 10 km northwest of Zama City. Crews, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to make progress on the containment lines to prevent spread towards the community of Zama City.
With no growth reported and progress made by crews and heavy equipment in creating containment lines on the southwest side, structure protection has been taken down in the community. There are 114 wildland firefighters, 4 helicopters, support staff and heavy equipment working on this fire. Alberta Wildfire is in communication with Mackenzie County partners and providing updates as the situation changes.
Firefighters working the line on the Basset Complex, July 9, 2023.
THE BASSET COMPLEX | HWF058, PWF067, PWF079 | JULY 10, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
An Incident Management Team (IMT) is managing fire HWF058 within the High Level Forest Area as well as PWF067 and PWF079 within the Peace River Forest Area.
HWF058 | This fire is located approximately 12 km northwest of the of Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement boundary marker, where the Haig River meets the Chinchaga River. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 36,836 hectares in size.
Crews will continue working the southeast flank of the fire to prevent spread and look for any spotting near the dozer guard and extinguishing hotspots. Helicopters are bucketing on the area to prevent spread and heavy equipment will be used to strengthen containment lines. Secondary dozer guards have been completed as a precaution. Airtankers are also available if needed.
Heavy equipment was able to move across the Chinchaga River to establish dozer guard along the north perimeter and work continues in the area. Within the bay of the northeast side of the fire it is slowly growing and cleaning up the area as it spreads to meet the rest of the fire boundary. Firefighters are monitoring this fire activity.
The east side of the fire that crossed over to the east side of the Chinchaga River is approximately 15 km north of where the Haig River meets the Chinchaga River. The excursion on the east side of the fire where the fire crossed the Chinchaga River is sealed in with dozer guard and containment lines are complete. There has been spotting east over a section of the Chinchaga River but crews and helicopters bucketing will action these areas as it is a priority area.
Firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft are working together to cool hotspots in priority areas and establish guards. A guard is established along the lower southeast side to tie into the Chinchaga River, to prevent spread towards the community of Paddle Prairie. It will be maintained as needed.
PWF067 | This wildfire is located 9 kilometers west of highway 35 and 10 km south of the Keg River. This fire is estimated to be 4,351 hectares in size and is classified as out of control (OC). At this time, firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are working on this wildfire and containment lines are being constructed. Heavy equipment is still continuing to build guard from an safety zone by a nearby lake on the west side and will be creating additional guard to the north-north central perimeter and the south flank to contain the fire.
Wildfire on the west side jumped the guard in the past few days. Heavy equipment are working to establish new containment lines. Firefighters are expecting more fire growth to the west as the complex will be experiencing strong east winds. Helicopters will continue bucketing on the fire to prevent spread.
Most of the activity is on the northwest extending down to the southwest side but due to the smoke inversion wildfire activity should decrease. There are mild scattered showers expected today and this will help with suppression efforts. Helicopters will monitor for any new starts as lightning is expected.
PWF079 | This wildfire was discovered June 29. It is approximately three hectares in size. It is currently classified as under control (UC). Aircraft will continue to monitor for any wildfire activity.
Resources
There are 171 wildland and structural firefighters, 16 helicopters, support staff and heavy equipment working on this fire. Structural protection crews have established protection on structures along the Chinchaga River and will be assessing other areas that could be at risk due to fire PWF067. Plans are being made to protect structures at risk of PWF067 and equipment will be strategically placed when needed.
The Incident Management Team (IMT) continues to work closely with community members on understanding the local landscape and getting access to the fire ground. Alberta Wildfire is communicating with council and county partners as the fire situation changes.
Weather
Today, the forecast is calling for a temperature of 26 degrees with southeast winds at 15 km/h gusting to 30 km/h and southeast at 10 km/h in the early evening.
THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036, HBZ001, HBZ003 | JULY 10, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
HWF036 | This fire is classified as being held (BH) with a size of 173,349 hectares. Being held means given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past predetermined boundaries.
The fire is still active on the western side and moving towards the British Columbia border. Heavy equipment and crews continue their work in this area to create and strengthen containment lines. Yesterday, the heavy smoke layer did not allow aircraft to fly safely. Wildfire suppression efforts were completed with heavy equipment and ground crews. Due to the smoky conditions today we will re-evaluate where to place crews for firefighting efforts.
The main focus for firefighting efforts has been the northwest flank, which was active due to the strong east winds yesterday.
The northeast guard protecting the community of Chateh continues to hold with limited fire activity along this edge. Firefighters continue to monitor this area. Vegetation inside the fire perimeter continues to burn and firefighters continue to work on hotspots as they arise. There are 152 firefighters, support staff, nine helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire.
Residents are reminded not to enter the fire area due to large number of firefighters, aircraft and equipment working. Burnt trees continue to fall which are dangerous.
THE PASKWA - DAVIDSON COMPLEX | JULY 10, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
HWF030 | The Paskwa fire was detected on May 2, 2023. It extends along the south side of the Peace River from the community of Fox Lake into Wood Buffalo National Park and is approximately 8 km south of the community of Garden River. The wildfire is 96,582 hectares in size and is classified as being held (BH). Being held means given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past predetermined boundaries.
Crews will also continue their work in Fox Lake working house to house to extinguish 250 feet around each structure and 250 feet along roadways. There are areas within the community where the fire is burning deep in peat moss. These areas will continue to be worked on by firefighters and heavy equipment.
Smoky conditions will continue in the community as crews pile and burn off debris. This is a controlled and monitored practice to get rid of unwanted downed trees. These piles are burning on bare mineral soil and are located away from any structures in town.
There are firefighters, helicopters, and heavy equipment working on the Paskwa-Davidson Complex.
Wood Buffalo National Park | Davidson Lake Complex (Wildfires 8, 9, 11, 13, 14)
For information regarding fires burning within the Wood Buffalo National Park, please click here.
Evacuation Alerts and Information
Little Red River Cree Nation has an evacuation order in place for the community of Fox Lake. The community of Garden River has lifted their evacuation alert. For information regarding the evacuation, please stay informed by visiting the Little Red River Cree Nation’s Facebook page.
DO NOT FLY DRONES NEAR WILDFIRES!
The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada
WILDFIRE INFORMATION
Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more all on your mobile device. Available for Apple and Android.
Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.
Subscribe to the High Level Forest Area Update to receive an email when new information is posted. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
WILDFIRE LINKS AND TOOLS
Volunteers, equipment owners/operators or firefighters looking to assist with these wildfires or any of the wildfires within the province can contact EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.
There are multiple EVACUATION ORDERS & ALERTS in the Province. Please visit Alberta Emergency Alerts or your community webpage for more information.
For road closure information, please visit: 511.alberta.ca
Wildfire smoke is a tool used for the location of smoke firesmoke.ca
To see all the wildfires burning in Alberta click here.
WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS | Learn how you can prepare yourself for a wildfire by clicking here.
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Colby Lachance
(ACTING) Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: 780-404-9186
Email: colby.lachance@gov.ab.ca