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
Air tankers were used on HWF124 today to help with suppression efforts.
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, south-southeast at 15 km/h.
There is a heat warning and a special air quality statement for High Level. For more information please visit weather.gc.ca
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | JULY 9, 2023 AS OF 8:30 PM
There are 32 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, nine are classified as out of control (OC), 15 are being held (BH) and eight are under control (UC). Firefighters responded to one new wildfire today. 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 120 ha. Today, airtankers were called to help in suppression efforts. Crews and helicopters will continue to work on building containment lines.
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 and heavy equipment were working on this fire to build containment lines and extinguish hotspots. 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.
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 some growth reported today on the northwest and southwest flank. Structure protection along Harper Creek has been completed as of this morning. 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. Today, there was an increase in fire activity on the north and southwest of this fire. 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.
There are hot areas on the south side of the fire and the northwest perimeter but the fire was mostly active on the south and east flank today with no significant growth. 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. There are 40 firefighters, five helicopters and heavy equipment working on this fire. Airtankers are available as needed.
Alberta Wildfire is in communication with county and First Nation partners and is providing updates as the situation changes.
THE BEACH ROAD FIRE | HWF064 | JULY 9, 2023 AS OF 8:30 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. Crews, aircraft and heavy equipment continue to make progress on the containment lines on the southwest, south and southeast sides 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 69 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.
HWF058 was active on the northwest flank yesterday due to winds from the east, which are expected to continue. July 8, 2023.
THE BASSET COMPLEX | HWF058, PWF067, PWF079 | JULY 9, 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 37,921 hectares in size.
Tomorrow, firefighters are expecting fire behavior to pick up due to hot and dry conditions on the west flank of the fire. Firefighters are also expecting south-southeast winds that will challenge containment lines around the fire. Crews will continue working the southeast flank of the fire to prevent spread and look for any spotting near the dozer guard. 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 due to the expected wind shift. 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. There is a lot of ground to cover as they move west from the river. 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. Crews and helicopters bucketing will action these areas if any spotting occurs.
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.
Due to the strong east winds today there were excursions on the southwest side but helicopter bucketing operations were able to cool the area as crews work to extinguish hotspots.
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 has anchored a guard into 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 worked yesterday to establish new containment lines. Firefighters are expecting more fire growth to the west as the complex will be experiencing strong east winds for the next 24 hours. Helicopters will continue bucketing on the fire to prevent spread.
Most of the activity is on the northwest side but due to the smoke inversion wildfire activity was low for a majority of the day.
The south side of the perimeter also saw movement yesterday and is slowly growing. Crews and heavy equipment will work to prevent spread today and strengthen containment lines. There is an old burn south of PWF067 and that has potential to limit the spread of the fire due to the reduced fuel.
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
Tomorrow, the forecast is calling for a temperature of 24 degrees with east-southeast winds at 15 km/h gusting to 30 km/h and southeast at 10 km/h in the early evening.
Firefighters working the line on the Basset Complex, July 9, 2023.
THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036, HBZ001, HBZ003 | JULY 9, 2023 AS OF 8:30 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. Today, the heavy smoke layer did not allow aircraft to fly safely. Wildfire suppression efforts were completed with heavy equipment and ground crews.
The north-northeast flanks were quiet today and firefighters were able to focus their efforts on the northwest flank, which was active due to the strong east winds.
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 9, 2023 AS OF 8:30 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. Sections that were previously smouldering are monitored daily.
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