The wildfire danger is very high in the High Level Forest Area. The fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction remain in effect. A provincial state of emergency has been declared. Albertans who require assistance can call 310-4455 for wildfire related information. To report a wildfire please call 310-FIRE(3473).
Under this fire ban:
•All existing Fire Permits are suspended (or cancelled)
•No new Fire Permits will be issued
Prohibited:
•All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
•Backyard firepits
•BBQ charcoal briquettes
•The use of fireworks and exploding targets
•The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands, including designated OHV trails
Allowed:
•Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
•Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
•Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
•All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards
•Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes.
•Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.
•Off-highway vehicle use is still permitted on private lands.
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.
Danger trees | Be extra cautious near burnt areas and avoid forested areas that have been recently affected by wildfire. Hazards remain from falling trees or branches, especially if windy, deep ash pits and burning peat.
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
There are five wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, two are classified as out of control (OC) and three are under control (UC). To see a map of the wildfires in the High Level Forest Area and across the province please click here.
THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036 | JUNE 4, 2023 AS OF 10:00 a.m.
The Long Lake fire (HWF036) was detected on May 3, 2023. This fire is classified as Out of Control (OC). The fire is currently 152,559 hectares in size. Fire activity across the fireground continues.
Heavy smoke in Rainbow Lake in the morning and visibility is limited.
Fire activity around 12-13 kms out of Rainbow Lake on Friday. A breach of the fire edge saw a hard running fire that ran approx. 7km. It was stopped around the Baseline Road area. Crews continue to monitor this section of the fire from aircraft. If conditions allow, crews will use hand ignition along Baseline Road to tidy up the fire edge and burn any unburnt vegetation.
Increased fire activity south of the gas plant towards the powerline easement. Fire reached within 2-3 kilometres of the powerlines on Friday but we continue to actively monitor and control this. Utilising helicopters for bucketing and Dozers that are constructing a guard along the powerline easement. Large air tankers have also dropped retardant to provide extra protection. The fire hasn’t crossed the retardant line into the powerline easement at this stage.
The fire is also active west of the Town of Rainbow Lake moving towards the British Columbia border. The Incident management team at Rainbow Lake has been in daily contact with the team at Fort Nelson to develop a plan.
The northeast guard protecting the community of Chateh continues to hold with limited active fire along this edge. ATCO has restored power to the community of Rainbow Lake and Chateh. Re-entry to Chateh is planned for Monday June 5th.
Please be aware that there is still active fire burning in the area. Residents are reminded not to enter the fire area due to large number of firefighters, and equipment working. Burnt trees continue to fall which are dangerous.
Incident Management Teams from Canada, America and Australia and a number of helicopters are currently working at the Incident Command Post located at the Town of Rainbow Lake airport to support this fire. Please keep out of this area to allow firefighters to continue to do their job.
There are currently 192 personnel supporting the Long Lake Fire. Including wildland and structural firefighters, incident management staff and heavy equipment operators. There are also 9 helicopters, 15 dozers and 2 excavators dedicated to this fire.
Evacuation Information and Alerts
The Town of Rainbow Lake has had its evacuation order lifted and residents can come home. For further information on the re-entry plan, cleaning your refrigerator/freezer, Insurance, cleaning your home, discarding food, mental health support and more, please go to www.rainbowlake.ca.
The community of Chateh remains under an evacuation. Please visit the Dene Tha Facebook page for updates.
Please stay informed by downloading the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app or by visiting their website.
Weather Forecast | Long Lake Fire
Today's weather is maximum temp of 25c, RH of 30, Southwesterly 15km – 20km gusting to 35 km. A Red Flag Watch is in effect for this area due to low humidity, higher temps and moderate winds.
THE PASKWA FIRE | HWF030 | JUNE 4, 2023 AS OF 10:00 a.m.
The Paskwa fire is located in the community of Fox Lake and was detected on May 2, 2023. This fire is classified as Out of Control (OC) and the last recorded size is 95,388 hectares.
Winds continued from the east yesterday and fire operations targeted some key objectives on the east side of the fire. The top priorities for managing the Paskwa Fire are still full extinguishment of fire in Fox Lake, protecting Garden River, and working toward securing the fire perimeter to prevent significant fire spread. An abrupt wind shift and gusty winds are forecast for today. These conditions could lead to extreme and/or erratic fire behaviour. Today’s operations will be adjusted accordingly to ensure the safety of those on the fireline.
Yesterday, fire specialists used a heli-torch to burn remaining forest fuels within the fireguard on the northeast perimeter of the Paskwa Fire. Removing remaining pockets of unburned trees, followed up with helicopters bucketing, will help achieve full extinguishment of this part of the fireguard. Sprinklers are in place around 5th Meridian and hose line laid along the perimeter in that area. Today, helicopters will continue bucketing in the northeast as visibility and winds allow. The fireguard is in place to prevent fire spread north of the Peace River and to protect the community of Garden River.
Crews and helicopters continue working along the entire north-northeast perimeter to remove fuels and extinguish hot spots, keeping the fire south of the Peace River.
Four fixed-wing aircraft were dispatched yesterday afternoon to assist with aerial suppression on the Paskwa Fire. The bombers were dropping retardant along the southeast perimeter adjacent to Wood Buffalo National Park to prevent further fire spread south.
Crews are completing work on the fireguard along the southwest perimeter. Drone scans will help confirm if there are any remaining hot spots. If smoke and weather conditions allow, helicopters will continue bucketing along the southeast perimeter.
The high-volume water system, water lines, and sprinkler systems on structures are in place in the community of Garden River, and structural firefighters remian on standby. These are proactive measures to ensure the community is prepared should the fire move closer to Garden River.
Work continues in Fox Lake to extinguish 75m (250 ft) perimeters around structures and remove danger trees. With continued warm and dry conditions, hot spots around the community becoming more active. Heavy equipment continues to clear around some larger fire areas to remove forest fuels and help contain the fire while crews work to extinguish it.
Little Red River Cree Nation has an evacuation order in place for the community of Fox Lake. The community of Garden River remains on an evacuation alert. For information regarding the evacuation, please stay informed by visiting the Little Red River Cree Nation’s Facebook page.
Weather Forecast | Paskwa Fire
An abrupt wind change is forecast from southeast to southwest later today. Wind gusts of 35 – 45 km/h are expected. Extreme dry conditions continue with a forecast high of 29oC (84oF).
Wood Buffalo National Park Fire Update| Davidson Complex
Davidson Complex consists of four fires (Fires 8, 9, 13 and 14) in the Davidson Lake area of Wood Buffalo National Park. Combined, the fires are around 22,124 hectares in size. The Davidson Complex is approximately 25km east of the community of Garden River. The fires do not currently pose a risk to the community. Poor visibility due to smoke continues to create challenges with monitoring this fire. Where possible, fire personnel are maintaining sprinkler systems on at-risk cabins. Fire specialists are assessing containment options for this complex.
For more information regarding fires burning within the Wood Buffalo National Park, please click here.
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
ALBERTA STATE OF EMERGENCY
A provincial state of emergency has been declared. Albertans who require assistance can call 310-4455 for wildfire related information.
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.
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Victoria Ostendorf
Wildfire Information Officer
High Level Forest Area
Mobile: 780-841-9387
Email: victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca