The wildfire danger in the High Level Forest Area (HLFA) remains HIGH.
The High Level Forest Area remains under a FIRE RESTRICTION (see details below).
If you see smoke or flame and suspect it's a wildfire, please call 310-FIRE (3473).
The forest area may experience heavy smoke over communities at times. Contact 811 for smoke-related health concerns.
*Residents and others in the vicinity of John D'Or Prairie are asked to watch out for firefighters in the area, as they continue to remove or monitor equipment around homes and roadways.
This update is best viewed on a web browser or the AB Wildfire Status App | View previous High Level Forest Area Updates. Bold indicates new or important information.
*The next update will be available tomorrow evening, unless conditions change.
Some wildfires can be difficult to access by air and ground, requiring movement through some very difficult terrain. Nodwells, which are tracked carriers, are used to transport crews and gear through rough terrain to the frontline where firefighters can action the fire (August 22, 2024).
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION
There are currently 20 wildfires burning in the High Level Forest Area. Of these, two are out of control, 11 are being held, and seven are classified as under control. There is also one wildfire along the Alberta-N.W.T. border.
Since January 1, 2024, there have been 173 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 323,968 hectares (ha).
NASA FIRMS Fire Information website is a great resource to give an approximate location of hotspots in an area, but cannot always be used to determine specifically where a wildfire is burning. The heat from smoke columns, reflections from water and other heat signatures will appear on the map. It's important to note that the data is based on a mathematical estimate (interpolation) and can often make a wildfire appear larger than it actually is.
You can view the location and statistics of these wildfires on our interactive map by following the active wildfire link. Visit our website to learn more about wildfire classifications.
WEATHER FORECAST: The temperature in the area is expected to reach 22C on Sunday with a relative humidity (RH) of 40 percent. Winds are expected from the south at 15 km/h. Some precipitation is forecast over the next 24 hours.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | ACTIVE WILDFIRES OF INTEREST
HCX001 – Semo Complex (HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083, HWF136, HWF141)
The Semo Wildfire Complex is located north of John D'Or Prairie and Fox Lake, and west of Garden River.
There are currently 445 firefighters and support personnel, 24 helicopters and 109 pieces of heavy equipment and water trucks currently working on the Semo Wildfire Complex.
HWF061 is a lightning-caused wildfire currently burning OUT OF CONTROL and was last estimated to be 106,564 hectares (ha). This wildfire is approximately 8.8 km northeast of the community boundary line of John D'Or Prairie, approximately 10.7 km north of the community boundary line of Fox Lake, and an estimated 1.7 km north of Highway 58. Today, very subdued fire behaviour was observed on this complex. It has rained at the incident command post for a good portion of the day and will likely make an impact on the wildfire. We expect fire activity to be subdued again tomorrow.
HWF136 is currently BEING HELD at approximately 6,037 ha in size. This wildfire is located along the north side of Highway 58. It has not crossed over Highway 58 towards the south and is an estimated 13 km northwest of Garden River. Being held means that this fire is not expected to grow beyond established boundaries under the current conditions.
HWF053 is classified as BEING HELD. This wildfire is located north of HWF061 and is estimated to be 709 ha in size.
Other fires in this complex are further north within or nearby Caribou Mountain Wildland Provincial Park. Most of these wildfires were caused by lightning, but two of the wildfires remain under investigation (HWF136 and HWF141). These fires are being monitored by wildfire management personnel, with aircraft and further support as required. These wildfires include: HWF141, which is classified as BEING HELD and is approximately 2,535 ha; HWF081, which is BEING HELD and is approximately 50,461 ha; and HWF083, which is BEING HELD and is approximately 33,974 ha.
Alberta Wildfire uses advanced technology – including drones* with infrared, thermal-imaging capability launched from ground locations (normally at night and always when no aircraft are in the area) – to scan fires in order to determine their size and the locations of hotspots. Along with aerial scans done by fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, the data received allows planners to more effectively assign firefighting personnel and resources where most needed (HLFA, August 2024).
*While Alberta Wildfire uses drones under strict conditions to enhance fire suppression effectiveness, drone use by others is not allowed in the vicinity of wildfires – and can be an operational and safety issue (see below for further details).
Fire Operations (Semo Complex)
Firefighters are working towards achieving a 10-ft line of containment along critical areas of the southern perimeter of HWF061 by extinguishing hotspots. Once 100 percent contained, crews then work towards 100 percent control. This work is supported by helicopters and heavy equipment, which have been working with danger tree assessors and fallers to remove trees that could be hazardous to crews. Last night, our nighttime-capable helicopter completed bucketing operations on the southwestern side of this wildfire and appeared to be very effective in this location.
Crews. with the support of helicopters, continue to look for hotspots within the perimeter of HWF136 to extinguish. The majority of crews are working towards each other, travelling southward from along the northeast. Other crews are travelling eastward, along the south side of the main fire perimeter, to connect those lines. This ensures the critical areas of the perimeter are covered by crews, while helping to prevent flare-ups. This work can be tedious and require precision, as these areas are burning hot and deep.
Mulching equipment is being acquired and will be used to remove downed logs from north side of Highway 58. This will be time-consuming, but important work.
Margaret Lake has shown almost no fire activity and may be demobilized (removal of structural protection) in the coming days. The value on Pitchimi Lake still has structure protection units set up with added lines of retardant around it, as a long-term suppression tactic.
John D’Or Prairie’s structure protection equipment will stay in place, as a precaution, and will be running every couple of days to maintain the system. Residents and others in the vicinity are asked to watch out for additional firefighters and equipment in the area.
Weather Forecast
Tomorrow, the temperature is forecast to reach 18C with a relative humidity (RH) around 40 percent. Winds are expected from the northwest at approximately 15 km/h, gusting up 30 km/h; later (by 3 p.m.) shifting to come from the west-southwest at 10-15 km/h. No precipitation is in the forecast for the Semo Complex area.
View the full public map of the Semo Wildfire Complex.
Contained fire line: a secured perimeter of at least 10 feet that is maintained by firefighters using mechanical, hose line, or natural barriers.
Controlled fire line: a secured perimeter of at least 100 feet, including around all hot spots that are an immediate threat, which is expected to hold under the foreseeable conditions.
OTHER ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN THE HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA
HWF072, which is burning OUT OF CONTROL, is located 45 km west of Zama City and 60 km northwest of Chateh. This fire is estimated to be 36,291 ha in size. Visibility remains good, which allowed air and ground operations today.
There are 112 firefighting personnel, 10 helicopters and two dozer groups (10 pieces) of heavy equipment assigned to HWF072. Heavy equipment operators continue working to establish and enhance containment lines around the perimeter, while firefighters (supported by heli-bucketing) work on hotspots. The cause of HWF072 has been determined to be lightning.
HWF047, which is UNDER CONTROL, is approximately 30 km north of the Town of High Level and covers an area of 1,707 ha. Approximately 50 firefighters and four helicopters are assigned to HWF047, continuing their work towards extinguishing this wildfire.
HTZ001 (bordering on the N.W.T. to the north), which included previous areas of concern to the NE and SE of Bistcho Lake, is classified as BEING HELD and is being monitored closely. Please see NWT Wildfire Update Map and the South Slave SS009-24 Update for more information on the status of this and other fires on the N.W.T. side of the border.
*No growth has been observed on the above-noted wildfires and none currently threaten communities. To view these and other wildfires in Alberta, view our interactive map by following the active wildfire link.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SITUATION (as of 10 a.m., Aug. 24)
The fire danger is moderate to high across much of the Boreal region except for areas of eastern Alberta and the Lac la Biche Forest area where the fire danger is very high. Along the eastern slopes of the Rockies and the Whitecourt, Edson, and portions of the Slave Lake Forest Areas will experience low fire danger. The fire danger is extreme in much of the agricultural zone.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 1104 wildfires burning a total of 703,611 hectares (ha).
Last year, on this date, there were 983 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,204,517 ha. In the past five years on this date, an average of 918 wildfires had burnt an average of 635,845 ha.
FIRE RESTRICTION IN EFFECT
A fire restriction remains in place for the High Level Forest Area.
Under this restriction, existing fire permits are restricted, suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.
Prohibited:
- Wood campfires on public land
- Fireworks and exploding targets
Allowed:
- Safe wood campfires in a designated campground, on private land and in backyard fire pits
- Charcoal briquette barbeques
- Propane/natural gas powered appliances
- Open flame oil devices
- Indoor wood fires
If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.
The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Visit Alberta Fire Bans for more information.
DANGEROUS 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.
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. To see forecasted smoke, please visit FireSmoke.ca. If you have smoke related health concerns, please visit or contact Alberta 811.
ALBERTA HEALTH WILDFIRE RESOURCES | You can visit Alberta Health Services for information on how you or your loved ones can access resources related to wildfire impacts and smoke 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 firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada.
FIRESMART
FireSmart is a national program that helps Canadians increase their resilience to wildfire. Whether you are a homeowner, resident, business, local government, or Indigenous community, you can take small steps with lasting impacts.
Vegetation management is the modification of wildland fuels for the purpose of mitigating the potential intensities and impact of wildfire. Vegetation management as a strategy for reducing wildfire hazard makes a lot of sense: wildfire requires fuel, in the form of vegetation, to burn. If we can change the fuel, we can change the wildfire's behaviour. For suggestions on landscaping tips, you can view the FireSmart Guide to Landscaping.
To learn more on how you can protect your home, visit FireSmart Alberta. For farm or acreages, you can download the Farm and Acreage FireSmart magazine.
WILDFIRE INFORMATION
- Visit firesmoke.ca to view smoke drifts in the area
- Call 811 for smoke related health concerns
- For evacuation information please visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx
- 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, check the fire bans website or download the app to determine if 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.
- Missed an issue of the High Level Forest area Wildfire Update? You can find previous updates on our website.
- For evacuation orders and alerts in the Province visit Alberta Emergency Alerts or your community webpage for more information.
- For road closure information, visit Alberta 511 or download the app.
- To see all the wildfires burning in Alberta click here.
- Learn how you can prepare yourself for a wildfire with some tips and tricks on wildfire preparedness
