Hot and dry conditions persist with no significant rainfall in the forecast. Please use caution in the forested areas as fires start and spread quickly in these conditions. Stay informed about 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
Firefighters have responded to 5 new wildfires today. Of these fires, one is out of control (OC), one is being held (BH) and three are under control (UC). Pictured above the Electra airtanker drops a load of fire retardant on fire HWF119 to slow the spread of the fire. July 6, 2023.
WEATHER |
Hot and dry conditions continue with no significant rainfall in the forecast. Tomorrow the forecast is as follows; a temperature of 28 degrees, a relative humidity of 30 percent with winds, west 10-15 km/h.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | JULY 6, 2023 AS OF 8:30 PM
There are 33 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, nine are classified as out of control (OC), 15 are being held (BH) and nine are under control (UC). Firefighters have responded to 5 new wildfires today. To see a map of the wildfires in the High Level Forest Area and across the province please click here.
wildfires of interest;
HWF116 | This fire is located approximately 3 km north of the highway 58, east of range road 171. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) at 56 hectares. Crews, helicopters and airtankers are working on this fire. There is no threat to any homes at this time. Alberta Wildfire has been in communication with County and First Nation partners, providing updates as the situation changes.
HWF115 | This fire is located approximately 20 km north of the highway 58 and highway 88 junction. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) at 1.1 hectares.
HWF114 | This fire is located approximately 40 km north of the Town of High Level, east of highway 35. This fire is classified as being held (BH) at 1.4 hectares.
HWF087 | This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and is 3,569 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.
Today the fire was active on the northwest and north side however no significant growth was 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 today 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.
THE BEACH ROAD FIRE | HWF064 | JULY 6, 2023 AS OF 12:30 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 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 84 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.
Fire HWF058, southeast side. July 5, 2023.
THE BASSET COMPLEX | HWF058, PWF067, PWF079 | JULY 6, 2023 AS OF 8:30 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 35,501 hectares.
Tomorrow and into the weekend, firefighters are expecting fire activity to pick-up with the hot and dry conditions. With these hot and dry conditions the containment lines will be tested. Crews are working the southeast corner to secure the excursion of fire that spread to the south yesterday. Helicopters were bucketing on the area preventing spread and heavy equipment will be utilized to build-up containment lines. Airtankers are also available if needed.
The fire did see an increase in fire behaviour on the north-north central flank yesterday. Heavy equipment was able to move across the Chinchaga River to establish dozer guard along the north perimeter and work continues in the area as there is a lot of ground to cover. Bucketing operations were heavy on the northside working along the bay of the north-northeast flank to prevent spread.
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 for this excursion. However, there were two new spots reported today on the east side of the Chinchaga River. Crews and helicopters bucking will action these areas to contain them, but no major runs occurred due to this spotting.
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 and will be maintained, as there was some movement in the area yesterday. There is a section on the southwest side that heavy equipment is establishing guard on to finish the southwest flank. Firefighters have made improvements to the southwest side and have been able to work safely as they perform mop-up duties and look for hotspots as they continue to the southeast.
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 2,308 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. Heavy equipment has also been established on the west side and they will move east building dozer guard.
There was no significant growth reported today. There was fire activity and heat along the northside of the perimeter but bucketing operations were able to keep the fire from making significant runs further north.
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 on PWF079 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, 16 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.
Tomorrow, the forecast is calling for a temperature of 26 degrees as we head into a drying trend with south-southwest winds at 10-15 km/h. Fire behaviour analysts are expecting a hot and dry weekend and this will create extreme fire behavior for the coming days.
Fire activity has increased due to the hot and dry conditions on the southeast side of fire HBZ003. This fire is to the west of the west side of fire HWF036, on the BC border.
THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036, HBZ001, HBZ003 | JULY 6, 2023 AS OF 12:30 PM
HWF036 | This fire is classified as Being Held (BH) with a last recorded size of 169,076 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. Fire HBZ003 that came over into the High Level Forest Area from BC has been very active on the southeast side and has crossed over the Baseline Road and spread in southeast direction yesterday. Heavy equipment, crews, and aircraft continue their work in this area to create and strengthen control lines.
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 104 firefighters, support staff, 9 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.
The Incident Management Team and firefighters working on the Paskwa fire pose for a group photo. July 6, 2023. Firefighters and support staff from all over the world are here in the High Level Forest Area, helping to manage fires in the Area.
THE PASKWA - DAVIDSON COMPLEX | JULY 6, 2023 AS OF 12:30 PM
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 27 degrees, a relative humidity of 25 percent with winds north at 15 km/h. Crews are responding to hotspots as the weather is warmer and dryer until Friday. They will continue to remove hose and equipment as they are winding 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.
The removal of the structural protection in Garden River will continue for one more day and there could be increased traffic and movement of equipment. There are dozer guards in place for protection around the community.
There are 104 firefighters, three 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.
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Victoria Ostendorf
Wildfire Information Officer
High Level Forest Area
Mobile: 780-841-9387
Email: victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca