A FIRE BAN and OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION is now effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the High Level Forest Area. 

A fire ban and OHV restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area of Alberta due to extreme fire danger. The fire ban and OHV restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

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. 

WILDFIRE SITUATION REPORT| MAY 5, 2023 AS OF 10:00 PM 

There are five wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, two are classified as Out of Control (OC), one is Being Held (BH) and two are Under Control (UC). Today there was one new wildfire start that has since been extinguished. To see all wildfires on a map and find more information regarding wildfires in Alberta please click here.

THE PASKWA FIRE | HWF030

The Paskwa fire is located in the community of Fox Lake. This fire is classified as Out of Control (OC) with a last recorded size of 4,383 hectares. There are 24 Alberta Wildfire firefighters, 5 helicopters, heavy equipment and airtankers as needed. The Incident Management Team (IMT) arrived on the fire and additional firefighters and resources have been requested.

Due to the weather conditions the fire was extremely active and there was significant spread on the southwest and west side. As the fire situation changed firefighters, helicopters, support staff, and heavy equipment were focusing all efforts on preventing fire spread into the community. 

The forecast for tomorrow will continue to challenge firefighters, and aircraft. Firefighter and aircraft safety is top priority as there is a Red Flag Warning in effect.  

Little Red River Cree Nation has an evacuation order in place for the community of Fox Lake. 

THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036

The Long Lake Fire is located 1 km south of highway 58, south of the Rainbow Lake Airport. This fire is classified as Out of Control (OC) with a last recorded size of 2,130 hectares. Due to the hot and dry conditions this fire experienced active fire behavior, and continued to spread in a southwest to westerly direction away from the Town of Rainbow Lake.

Alberta Wildfire firefighters, the Rainbow Lake Fire Department and air support from helicopters worked to create containment lines to prevent the fire from spreading towards the community. Heavy equipment continued to create control lines on the east side. Further progress on the northwest corner was completed by an additional heavy equipment crew.  

There are 44 firefighters, six helicopters, support staff, and heavy equipment working on this fire.

As the fire situation changes firefighters, helicopters, support staff, heavy equipment and airtankers will be working hard to reevaluate their tactics to prevent fire spread towards the Town of Rainbow Lake and critical infrastructure.

WEATHER

Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue and will challenge firefighters and aircraft. The weather forecast is calling for a temperature of 23 degrees, a relative humidity of 20 per cent and winds southeast 25 km/h - 30 km/h gusting up to 45 km/h.

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. 

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Victoria Ostendorf | Wildfire Information Officer

High Level Forest Area

Email: victoria.ostendorf@gov.ab.ca

Mobile: 780-841-9387