The wildfire danger is very high in the High Level Forest Area. The area received some rain however it was not a significant amount nor widespread throughout the High Level Forest Area. The fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction remain in effect. 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 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
There are 10 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, three are classified as out of control (OC), two are being held (BH) and five are under control (UC). Firefighters have responded to four new wildfires today. Please see the updates below regarding the Paskwa fire and the Long Lake fire. To see a map of the wildfires in the High Level Forest Area and across the province please click here.
Wildfires of interest;
HWF058 | This fire is located approximately 80 km southwest of the Town of High Level and 45 km northwest of the community of Paddle Prairie. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) at 1,114 hectares. There are 25 firefighters, 1 helicopter and airtankers working on this fire. The fire has seen growth towards the east and southeast due to the west winds. Tomorrows forecast is calling for a temperature of 26, a relative humidity of 20 percent and winds southeast at 15 km/h. These conditions are expected to challenge firefighters control lines.
THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036 | JUNE 7, 2023 AS OF 11:30 AM
The Long Lake fire (HWF036) was detected on May 3, 2023. This fire is classified as Out of Control (OC) and is 152,559 hectares in size. Fire activity across the fire area continues. Milder conditions due to localized rain have allowed firefighters to get in close to the fireline and has allowed for a more direct attack on the fire.
The fire continues to be active around the Baseline Road area. Crews continue to monitor this section of the fire from aircraft and dozers are creating a fire guard. If conditions allow, crews will use hand ignition along Baseline Road to tidy up the fire edge and burn any unburnt vegetation.
Helicopters with buckets and dozers have constructed a guard along the powerline easement, south of the Cenovus plant. Airtankers have also dropped retardant to provide extra protection. The fire hasn’t crossed the retardant line into the powerline easement at this time.
The fire is also active west of the Town of Rainbow Lake moving towards the British Columbia border. The Incident Management Team (IMT) has been in daily contact with the team in 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.
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 large 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 10 helicopters, and 196 personnel supporting the Long Lake Fire. Including wildland and structural firefighters, incident management staff and heavy equipment operators.
Weather Forecast | Long Lake Fire
Today's forecast is as follow, a temperature of 23 degrees, a relative humidity of 25 percent, and winds are west 10 km/h gusting 40 km/h.
THE PASKWA FIRE | HWF030 | JUNE 7, 2023 AS OF 11:30 AM
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. This wildfire is 93,311 hectares in size. This fire is classified as Out of Control (OC).
The top priorities for managing the Paskwa Fire are full extinguishment of fire in Fox Lake, protecting Garden River, and working toward securing the fire perimeter to prevent significant fire spread. Yesterday, GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping of the fire perimeter was completed to give a more accurate fire size. The Paskwa Fire is currently 93,311 hectares.
Yesterday, some areas of the fire did received precipitation and combined with good overnight recovery (low evening temperatures and high humidity), fire activity is expected to be low-moderate.
Work continues along the entire north-northeast perimeter to remove remaining forest fuels and extinguish hot spots, keeping the fire south of the Peace River. Yesterday, fire crews started near 5th Meridian and will continue east, working along the oxbow to extinguish hot spots within the fire perimeter. Helicopters were also bucketing in the area. The fireguard is a priority to prevent fire spread north across the Peace River and to protect the community of Garden River.
Helicopters continue bucketing along the southeast perimeter, and today, if conditions are favorable, ground crews will begin fire suppression in this area.
Firefighters will work to extinguish hotspots from Little Red River moving to Muskeg Creek. The area will continue to be monitored for activity using heat scans from helicopter. Scanning is in the works for tomorrow and into the weekend for hotspots in and around the community of Fox Lake.
Work continues in Fox Lake to extinguish 75m perimeters around structures and the removal of danger trees. Heavy equipment is establishing guard lines around larger areas where there is still potential for fire spread to contain the fire while crews work to extinguish these hotspots.
The high-volume water system, water lines, and sprinkler systems on structures are in place in the community of Garden River, and structural firefighters will assist as needed. These are proactive measures to ensure the community is prepared should the fires move closer to Garden River.
There are currently 104 personnel supporting the Paskwa Fire response consisting of wildland and structural firefighters, incident management staff, and Paskwa Fire Base support staff. There are also 12 helicopters and 22 pieces of heavy equipment dedicated to the Paskwa fire.
Weather Forecast | Paskwa Fire
Today the forecast is as follows, a temperature of 22 degrees, a relative humidity of 30 percent, and winds southwest 25 km/h gusting 40 km/h.
Evacuation Information and Alerts
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.
The community of Garden River is under an evacuation alert.
Wood Buffalo National Park Fire Update| Davidson Complex
The fires in the Davidson Lake area are approximately 29,777 hectares combined and located 26 km northeast of Garden River.
Yesterday morning, Parks Canada fire specialists hosted a community meeting in Garden River to discuss containment options along the eastern edge of Fire 14, the largest of the Davidson Lake Fires, protecting structures and answered community questions and concerns. Parks Canada fire personnel will monitor for ignition opportunities in the Trident Creek area, as fire behaviour permits. A team leader for heavy equipment is stationed in Garden River, along with 4 dozers, an excavator and a water tender. Crews continue to maintain sprinkler systems that were installed to protect cabins in the area.
While the area received some rain yesterday morning, the Davidson Lake Fires have not seen any significant rainfall and extreme dry conditions will continue today.
This information has been provided by the Wood Buffalo national Park, Fire Information Officer. For more information regarding fires burning within the Wood Buffalo National Park, please click here.
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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