High Level Area Update

High Level Forest Area Update | October 18, 2022

Posted on Tue, Oct 18, 2022

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The fire danger for the High Level Forest Area remains High. Please use caution while riding a OHV in grassy areas and please remember to put out your hunting fires. To report a wildfire call, 310-FIRE(3473).

HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | OCTOBER 18, 2022 

There are twelve wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, one is out of control (OC), six are Being Held (BH) and five are Under Control (UC). For more information or to view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit Wildfire Status | AAF - Agriculture and Forestry (alberta.ca). 

Wildfire of interest: 

  • Wildfire HWF107, is located 7 km south of the community of Chateh and 5 km north of highway 58. This fire is out of control (OC) at 192 ha. There are 33 firefighters and four helicopters working on this fire. There are two dozer groups working to establish a fireguard to contain the wildfire. Smoke from this fire will be visible from the community but there is no threat to the community at this time. 
  • There is traffic control and smoke along the entrance road leading into the community of Chateh. There are no road closures at this time but please slow down, and use caution while driving as smoke will be present in the area. There is still no risk to the community of Chateh at this time. For any updates to road reports please visit, 511.alberta.ca.
     

Other wildfires in the High Level Forest Area: 

  • Wildfire HWF112, is located west of Meander. The wildfire is being held (BH) at 6.8 ha in size. There are nine firefighters and one helicopter working on the wildfire and one dozer group building a fireguard. There is no risk to communities at this time. 
  • Wildfire HWF111, is located SW of John Dor Prairie. The wildfire is being held (BH) at 0.83 ha in size. There are four firefighters and one helicopter working on the fire and no communities are at risk at this time. 
  • Wildfire HWF109, is located southwest of Fox Lake, along the old Fox Lake Road. The Wildfire is 75 km east of Fort Vermilion. The wildfire is being held (BH) at 7.6 ha. There are nine firefighters allocated to the fire. There is no threat to the community at this time.
  • Wildfire HWF108, is located 10 km north of the community of Fox Lake on the north side of the Peace River. This fire is classified as under control (UC) at 10.5 ha. There is no threat to the community at this time.  

  • Wildfire HWF096, is located 35 km north of the community of John D'or, and south of the Caribou Mountains. This fire is classified as being held (BH) at 2,600 ha. This fire is being monitored by Alberta Wildfire staff. There is no threat to any homes or communities at this time. Smoke from the fire can be seen by surrounding communities.

Since January 1st, 2022 in the High Level Forest Area (HLFA), there have been 113 wildfires burning a total of 22,316 hectares.

For information on smoke in your area please click here.

hunter_campfire_from_FBCAMPFIRE SAFETY

At this time of year, firefighters often find unattended or abandoned warming campfires. If you're having a campfire during your hunt, please extinguish it properly when you are done.

Use an existing fire receptacle if possible, otherwise, choose a location that's on level ground, sheltered from the wind and is on bare mineral soil. If you build your fire on peat or top soil, you risk creating a deep burning fire that could be challenging to extinguish. Keep it away from dry grass, leaves or branches and keep water close by. 

Before you leave, ensure you fully extinguished the fire, otherwise it could smoulder under ground for days or even weeks and re-surface when the conditions are right for a wildfire. Your fire isn't fully extinguished until the burnt wood and ashes are cool to the touch.

To learn more about campfire safety, visit our website by clicking here

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FARM EQUIPMENT CAN START WILDFIRES

There have been a few farm equipment fires in the High Level Forest Area due to hot debris building up on equipment and sparking a wildfires. Remember to stop frequently and check your equipment and clean any debris build up to help prevent a wildfire. 

BURN IT WITH A PERMIT

From March 1st to October 31st, a fire permit is required for any type of outdoor burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta with the exception of a campfire for cooking or warming. Fire permits help ensure that when smoke or fire is reported, wildfire officials can determine whether this is a wildfire or a permitted burn.

Albertans living or recreating in the Forest Protection Area of the province can request a free fire permit using the new, convenient online fire permit portal.

Fire permits can still be requested over the phone by calling the High Level Forest Area permit line at 780-926-5407.

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THE FOREST PROTECTION AREA OF ALBERTA

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development (AFRED) is responsible for all aspects of wildfire management within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) of Alberta. This includes wildfire prevention, wildfire response, permit issuance, enforcement and the initiation of fire advisories, restrictions, bans and forest area closures. Authority for these actions is granted under the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and supporting regulations.

The FPA covers approximately 62% of the province, and is divided into 10 Forest Areas. Each Forest Area manages their own fire centre, fire bases, airtanker bases and wildfire lookouts. Resources are moved throughout the areas as required, and coordinated through the Alberta Wildfire Coordination Centre in Edmonton. Note that cities, towns, villages and summer villages, even if embedded within the FPA, are outside of AFRED’s jurisdiction. The local municipality or governing authority is responsible for wildfire management on their land base.

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 Updates to receive an email when new information is posted. Join the conversation on FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

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Wildfire Provincial Information Officer

mobile: 780-420-1968

email: wildfireinfo@gov.ab.ca

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