The wildfire danger in the High Level Forest Area 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.
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.
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 169 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning a total of 323,573 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 is forecast to reach 25C on Sunday with a relative humidity of 40 percent. Winds are expected from the south at 15-20 km/h, gusting to 35 km/h. Little-to-no precipitation is forecast.
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An aerial view of HWF136 today (Aug. 18, 2024): This wildfire is now being held, as of earlier today, which is another clear indicator of the steady progress being made towards containing and controlling the fires within the Semo Complex.
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. A few of the wildfires in this complex are located within Caribou Mountains Provincial Park.
There are currently 596 firefighters and support personnel, 24 helicopters and 130 pieces of heavy equipment and water trucks working on the Semo Wildfire Complex.
HWF061 is a lightning-caused wildfire currently burning OUT OF CONTROL and was last estimated to be 106,611 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.
HWF136 is currently BEING HELD at approximately 6,158 ha in size. This wildfire is located adjacent to Highway 58. It remains north of Highway 58 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 on this complex are within or nearby Caribou Mountain Wildland Provincial Park. Most of these wildfires have been determined to be caused by lightning, but the other wildfires remain under investigation. These fires will be monitored by fire personnel, with aircraft and further support as required. These wildfires include: HWF141, which is classified as BEING HELD north of HWF061 and east of HWF081, covering approximately 2,535 ha; HWF081, which is BEING HELD and is 50,461 ha; and HWF083, which is BEING HELD at 33,974 ha.
Fire Operations
Firefighters continue to look for hotspots along the southern perimeter of the guard and are being assisted by helicopters and heavy equipment. Additional guard will be constructed, as needed, but there is minimal spread due to cooler weather conditions. Heavy equipment operators have completed their work on the east side and will start to work on a contingency line running north (from highway 58 to the west side), which will create an additional containment line and better access for crews in the coming days.
There is minimal activity on HWF136. Crews are looking for any hotspots within the perimeter of the fire to extinguish with the support of helicopters. Heavy equipment is working on the northwest perimeter to build up containment lines.
A night helicopter will be working to cool any hotspots in the area. There is also a drone scan scheduled for the fire tonight to give the incident management team an idea of additional hotspot locations for tomorrow’s operational period.
In the communities, the Structure Protection Unit (SPU) continues its work to maintain and test systems on Margaret Lake and Pitchimi Lake, as a precaution. SPU is demobilizing its equipment in Garden River and on its quick fill sites in Fox Lake, and this work will take approximately three days. There is no immediate or foreseeable threat from HWF136 (under current conditions) to the communities of Garden River and Fox Lake.
Weather Forecast
Tomorrow, the temperature is forecast to reach 19C with the relative humidity around 60 percent. Winds are expected from the southeast at 10-15km/h, gusting up to 30km/h. There is some precipitation expected tomorrow night (3-8 mm).
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View the full public map of the Semo wildfire complex.
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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.
Firefighters from Costa Rica gather for a briefing before heading to the fire line. (Aug. 17, 2024)
EVACUATION ALERTS AND ORDERS
Evacuation orders for Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN) communities have been lifted and re-entry for community members and residents of John D’Or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River started August 5th.
See updates on LRRCN's Facebook page or their website.
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. Although there was some limited visibility this morning, conditions improved – allowing air and ground firefighting activity on this wildfire throughout much of the day.
There are approximately 56 firefighting personnel, 11 helicopters and two dozer groups (10 pieces) of heavy equipment assigned to HWF072.
Heli-bucketing and heavy equipment operators continue working to enhance containment lines around the perimeter, while firefighters continue to work on hotspots. The cause of HWF072 has been determined to be lightning.
HWF092 is now UNDER CONTROL (as of today). This wildfire is located north of the Town of High Level and is estimated to be 49.40 ha in size. There are approximately 24 firefighters assigned to HWF092.
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.
*None of the wildfires listed in the above section currently threaten any communities. To view these and other wildfires in the province, view our interactive map by following the active wildfire link.
PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SITUATION (as of 10 a.m., Aug. 18)
The fire danger is mainly low to moderate throughout the province, with areas of high fire danger in the northwest boreal region and very high to extreme in the southeast corner of the agricultural zone.
Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 1094 wildfires burning a total of 705,755 hectares (ha).
Last year, on this date, there were 975 wildfires that burnt a total of 2,204,511 ha. In the past five years on this date, an average of 887 wildfires had burnt an average of 634,628 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 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
