WILDFIRE UPDATE (current as of May 30, 2019 at noon)

There have been no new starts in the Peace River Forest Area yet today, allowing firefighters to focus their full efforts on patrols and the fires we already have burning in the area. 

Numerous resources including crews, aircraft and heavy equipment groups have been placed throughout the area on standby and at the ready to quickly action any new wildfire starts.  

There have been 70 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area this fire season, and each of these wildfires has now been extinguished with the exception of five:

WILDFIRES OF NOTE:

Battle Complex (Notikewin and Battle River wildfires):

PWF 052 remains out of control at 52,322 hectares in size in the Notikewin Area 

• Yesterday was a challenging day on the fire. Crews and heavy equipment were pulled off the fire early due to safety concerns and heavy smoke on the fire prevented the use of air support for much of the day.  

• The growth that occurred was mainly toward the south on the northeast and southeast portions of the fire, although several areas of the fire were active.

• Today, efforts will be focused on building guard and cooling hot spots on the east and southeast sections of the fire. They will be supported by helicopters and air tankers, if visibility and fire conditions allow. Growth is expected on the southwest and west areas of the fire today with N/NE winds.

• An updated map is currently in production by our technical experts. It will be shared when it becomes available. The latest size estimate is 52,322 hectares.

PWF 054 is under control at 74.23 hectares in size in the Battle River area.    

PWF 070 is still being held at 251 hectares in size west of Keg River.  Numerous firefighters and  helicopters continued to work towards containing this fire today.  The fire has been completely surrounded by dozer guard and the guard held overnight and so far today.

PWF 070 map 

HWF 042 (Chuckegg Creek Fire)

This fire spread down into the Peace River Forest Area yesterday, specifically in the Paddle Prairie area.  For updates on this fire, please visit

http://srd.web.alberta.ca/high-level-area-update 

OTHER WILDFIRES IN THE AREA:

• PWF 064 has been turned over to the landowner at 0.01 hectares in size. 
• PWF 066 has been turned over to the landowner at 10.50 hectares in size in the Three Creeks area. 

For your safety and the safety of the numerous firefighters working to contain these wildfires, please stay obey the access restrictions and stay out of the area if you do not need to be there.

For information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca.

Today’s forecast calls for gusty winds from the N/NE, a high temperature of 21 degrees and relative humidity between 20 and 25 per cent. The cooler temperatures and higher humidity will help with firefighting efforts but will be offset by 20 km/h winds with gusts up to 35 km/h. The presence or absence of smoke and cloud will be a key factor in determining the fire’s behaviour today.

On Friday, we expect to see increased temperatures with a high in the mid 20s. The humidity will be a bit higher than we have seen over the last week and winds will be 15 to 20 km/h from the S/SW.

ROAD CLOSURES

For information on road closures and other access related hazards, visit Alberta 511 or download the free Alberta 511 app.

SMOKE

Smoke may be drifting into the area for the foreseeable future. Anyone with health concerns should check with Alberta Health Services or call 811 for 24/7 health advice from Alberta Health Link. For a smoke forecast map, visit Wildfire Smoke Forecasts for Western Canada.

FIRE PERMITS SUSPENDED

All fire permits have been suspended, effective on May 16 at 6 pm.  No fire permits will be issued until the fire danger conditions improve.