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
The Basset Complex is being managed by and Incident Management Team (IMT). The complex includes fire HWF058 within the High Level Forest Area and fires PWF067 and PWF079 within the Peace River Forest Area. Photo: Fire HW058, July 4, 2023.
WEATHER |
Today the forecast is as follows; a temperature of 30 degrees, a relative humidity of 30 percent with strong winds, west 15 km/h switching to north 15 - 20 km/h gusting up to 35 km/h as a cold front passes through this afternoon. There is also a chance of scattered thundershowers.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | JULY 5, 2023 AS OF 11:00 AM
There are 29 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, 11 are classified as out of control (OC), nine are being held (BH) and nine are under control (UC). To see a map of the wildfires in the High Level Forest Area and across the province please click here.
wildfires of interest;
HWF087 | This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 3,543 hectares. This fire is located approximately 3 km south of Harper Creek. 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 7,268 hectares. This fire is located approximately 34 km southeast of the South Tall Cree boundary at the Wabasca River. No communities are at risk at this time. Firefighters are monitoring this fire.
HWF072 | 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.
Yesterday fire behaviour was minimal with no significant growth reported. Heavy equipment, crews and aircraft are making great progress establishing their control lines on the northeast side of the fire to limit spread towards the community of South Tall Cree. Airtankers also supported crews and there has been no growth to the northeast. There are 42 firefighters, six helicopters, heavy equipment and airtankers as needed working on this fire.
Alberta Wildfire is in communication with County and First Nation partners and are providing updates as the situation changes. Today the forecast is calling for a temperature of 28 degrees, a relative humidity of 25 percent with winds, west/ southwest 10-15 km/h.
THE BEACH ROAD FIRE | HWF064 | JULY 5, 2023 AS OF 11:00 AM
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 and there has been no significant growth reported. Crews, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to make progress on the control lines on the southwest, south and southeast sides to prevent spread towards the community of Zama City.
With no growth reported and the progress crews and heavy equipment have made in creating containment lines on the southwest side, structure protection has been taken down in the community. There are 88 wildland and structural firefighters, six 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.
THE BASSET COMPLEX | HWF058 | JULY 5, 2023 AS OF 11:00 AM
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 13 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). Firefighters were able to do a more accurate tight lined GPS of the fire therefore, the fire size is smaller at 34,811 hectares.
Today, firefighters are expecting fire activity to pick-up with the hot and dry conditions. Due to the minimal growth in the past few days on the southeast portion of the perimeter, heavy equipment was able to go at the fireline direct and establish guard along the southeast perimeter and will continue until the area is contained. With these hot and dry conditions this flank of the fire could be tested today. The wildfire activity has been mainly on the northeast side and is being managed by bucketing operations early this morning as a preventative measure.
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 the on the east side of the fire where the fire crossed the Chinchaga River a few days ago is sealed in with dozer guard and containment lines are complete. The area will be monitored for any activity.
Firefighters, heavy equipment, and aircraft are working together to cool hotspots in priority areas and establish guards. Guard is still being established along the lower southeast side to tie into the Chinchaga River, to prevent spread towards the community of Paddle Prairie. Dozer guard on the southwest side has been completed. Firefighters have made improvements in this area and have been able to work safely as they perform mop-up duties as they look for hotspots.
PWF067 | This wildfire is located 18 kilometers from the Keg River highway, at the 695 and highway 35 intersection. This fire is estimated to be 2,140 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 has anchored into a nearby lake and will be creating dozer guard to the north and south to contain the fire. There has been significant progress on the northside of the fire perimeter with dozer guard. There is potential today for movement on the south side of the fire due to conditions.
PWF079 | This wildfire was discovered June 29. It is approximately three hectares in size. It is currently classified as being held (BH). Crews have put in a hose-lay around the spot north and will continue suppression efforts until the fire is fully contained. Aircraft will continue to monitor for fire activity as well.
Resources and Weather
There are 147 wildland and structural firefighters, 15 helicopters, support staff and heavy equipment working on this fire. Airtankers are available as needed. 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 as well as communicate with council and county partners as the fire situation changes.
Today, the forecast is calling for a temperature of 28 degrees as we head into a drying trend with west-southwest winds at 15-20km/h with gusts of 35km/h shifting to northwest 15-20 km/h in the afternoon. Firefighters expect another hot and dry day with the potential for thunderstorms in the afternoon. These cross-over conditions are something that firefighters will be mindful of when working safely on the fireline as they will create extreme fire behavior.
Firefighters from Costa Rica working on the Long Lake Fire pose for a group photo. July 4, 2023.
THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036 | JULY 5, 2023 AS OF 11:00 AM
This fire is classified as Being Held (BH) with a last recorded size of 168,696 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 and northwestern sides, moving towards the British Columbia border. If conditions allow there is a planned ignition operation north of the Baseline road this afternoon, to tie into the HBZ003 fire that came over into the forest area from BC.
The northeast guard protecting the community of Chateh continues to hold with limited activity fire along this edge. Firefighters continue to monitor and strengthen containment lines in this area. Vegetation inside the fire perimeter continues to burn and firefighters continue to mop up hotspots as they arise.
There are 124 firefighters, support staff, 8 helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire.
Please be aware that there is still active fire burning in the area and internal areas of the fire continue to have hotspots. 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.
BC have also observed increased activity with their three fires on the border. They are in remote country with no community and are being monitored by air. The Long Lake Fire, Incident Management Team is in daily contact with the BC Wildfire Service. For more information on these fires please go BC Wildfire Service (gov.bc.ca)
THE PASKWA - DAVIDSON COMPLEX | JULY 5, 2023 AS OF 11:00 AM
High Level Forest Area fires HWF030, HWF075 and Fire 8, 9, 11, 13 and 14 in the Wood Buffalo National Park are being managed by the IMT on the Paskwa - Davidson complex. Alberta Wildfire and Parks Canada are working together to manage these wildfires.
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 estimated at 96,582 hectares 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.
Today the forecast is calling for a temperature of 26 degrees, a relative humidity of 30 percent with winds southwest at 10 km/h. There is the possibility of thunderstorms in the late afternoon. Crews are responding to hotspots working west to east in the peat bog area. They will start removing hose as they start to slowly wind down operations on the fire and complete dozer guard around the east side of Fox Lake.
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 that have been piled to burn off and clean-up the wildfire zone. These burning piles are burning on bare mineral soil and are located away from any structures in town.
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. They will work to extinguish hotspots and danger trees with heavy equipment as there are areas within the community that are burning deep in the peat moss. Helicopters continue to assist firefighters working to cool hotspots in priority areas.
The removal of the structural protection in Garden River will continue over the next two days and there will be more workers noticeable. There have been dozer guards created by heavy equipment for protection around the community.
There are 98 firefighters, four helicopters, support staff and heavy equipment working on the Paskwa-Davidson Complex.
HWF075 | This fire is approximately 24 km west of Garden River, and 2 km north of highway 58. This fire is classified as under control (UC) at 13 hectares.
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 PREPARDNESS | Learn how you can prepare yourself for a wildfire by clicking here.
.png?width=1200&name=wildfire%20app%20(2).png)
Victoria Ostendorf
Wildfire Information Officer
High Level Forest Area
Mobile: 780-841-9387
Email: victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca