Caption: Local firefighters pose for a group photo after their safety briefing in the morning before heading out to the fireline. May 10, 2023.

WILDFIRE SITUATION REPORT| MAY 10, 2023 AT 8 PM 

Today there have been no new starts in the High Level Forest Area. Firefighters have been prepositioned to respond to any new starts in the area.  Alberta carefully evaluates its response to all new wildfires detected in the Forest Protection area.  Several factors are taken into consideration when fighting a wildfire, including the potential threat to people, communities, watersheds and soils, other natural resources and infrastructure. 

Alberta Wildfire's top priority when fighting a wildfire is the protection of human lives and the safety of communities. To see all wildfires on a map and find more information regarding wildfires in Alberta please click here.

THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036 | MAY 10, 2023 AT 8 PM

This fire is located in the vicinity of the Town of Rainbow Lake. This fire is classified as Out of Control (OC) and the last recorded size is 18,946 hectares. The areas North of Town, where the fire experienced an increase in fire behavior and fire spread into heavier fuel areas were suppressed by helicopters with water buckets and supported by firefighters.  Today the Ontario Wildfire Firefighters supported by heavy equipment worked very hard to ensure containment on the North perimeter. 

Alberta Wildfire firefighters, and air support from helicopters continue to secure containment lines to prevent the fire from spreading further into the community. Heavy equipment was able to continue creating control lines along the perimeter and have made significant progress working throughout the day. The Rainbow Lake Fire Department with additional Structural Protection support, continue to operationalize the protection of structures within the Town as the fire situation evolves within areas. There are 66 firefighters, 8 helicopters, heavy equipment, support staff and airtankers as requested. Additional Resources and wildfire firefighters from Alaska are arriving on the fire today.

The Town of Rainbow Lake has put on an evacuation order. Please stay informed by downloading the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app or by visiting their website.

THE PASKWA FIRE | HWF030 | MAY 10, 2023 AT 8 PM

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 24,634 hectares.

The slight reprieve in weather has allowed firefighters and aircraft to safely continue their work on putting out hotspots within the community to reduce fire spread to homes and critical infrastructure. On the southwest side, firefighters and heavy equipment have been creating control lines along the fire perimeter, working their way up from River Road towards the Peace River in an effort to prevent spread towards the Little Red River.

The forecast for the coming days will see a return in continued hot and windy conditions. As of this update the fire is approximately 2.9 km away from the Little Red River cultural heritage site and remains on the south side of the Peace River.

Firefighters are using all of their available tools to control this wildfire. Ignition operation tactics reduce fire spread by using current natural barriers to control the fire line. Ignition plans will continue to be created to find opportunities to burn areas of concern along the fire perimeter. As the fire situation changes firefighters, helicopters, support staff, heavy equipment and airtankers will be working hard to re-evaluate their tactics to prevent fire spread to homes and critical infrastructure.

Today there are 70 firefighters, 11 helicopters, heavy equipment and airtankers as needed. Additional firefighters and resources have been requested not only for this fire but to assist with the provincial situation as well.

Little Red River Cree Nation has an evacuation order in place for the community of Fox Lake. For information regarding the evacuation, please stay informed by visiting the Little Red River Cree Nation’s Facebook page.

Weather Forecast | Paskwa Fire (HWF030)

Weather Forecast – The Incident Management Team has a dedicated Fire Behavior Analyst and therefore the weather briefing will be fire area specific. Tomorrow's forecast is as follows, a temperature of 26 degrees, a relative humidity of 15 per cent with winds from the east 10 km/h to 15 km/h.

 

SMOKE RELATED ISSUES

If you see smoke that is causing safety concerns to road conditions, please report to Alberta 511. Individuals experiencing smoke related health issues, can contact Alberta Health. To see a map showing the smoke forecast please click here. 

WEATHER

Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue and will continue to challenge firefighters and aircraft. Today, the forecast is calling for a high of 25 degrees, a relative humidity of 15 per cent and winds from the Southeast 15 km/h. 

Do your part to prevent wildfires. Before you go camping or recreating, make sure you are aware of the Fire Ban situation and OHV restrictions in your area. When firefighters are sent to extinguish abandoned campfires, they are valuable resources taken away, that could be fighting other wildfires which could threaten homes or communities.