The fire danger in the Peace River Forest Area (PRFA) remains HIGH.

Alberta Wildfire is responding to a wildfire southwest of Little Buffalo with firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopters. The community of Little Buffalo has been evacuated by the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal council. For information, residents can call Joe Auger at 780-625-1503, or visit  Northern Sunrise County

A fire restriction is in effect for the PRFA. All outdoor wood fires are banned on public lands, including backcountry and random camping. The use of fireworks and exploding targets are also prohibited. Please visit AlbertaFiresbans.ca for more information. For further information and maps on smoke please go to Smoke Forecast - FireSmoke.ca

To see the forecasted fire danger, click here, updates daily at 3:00 PM

Please do not report smoke or flame from within an active wildfire area. Firefighters are diverted from essential tasks to respond to fires reported by the public. You may see smoke or flame within the existing boundary of a wildfire; this is normal.

Wildfire Situation 

Since January 1, there have been 86 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area (PRFA) burning a total of 8806.54 hectares (ha).

PWF085 was discovered on July 1 and is classified as under control (UC).

PWF086 was discovered on July 1 and is classified as under control (UC).

PWF081 was discovered on June 30. It is approximately 0.36 hectares in size and is classified as being held (BH). 

PWF082 was discovered on June 30. It is approximately 3,000 hectares in size and classified as out of control (OC). It is located south of Chinchaga Wildland Provincial Park.

PWF074 was discovered June 28 and is approximately 93 hectares in size. It is located approximately two kilometers northwest of Little Buffalo and is classified as out of control (OC). Crews, helicopters, tankers and heavy equipment are working on this fire to maintain containment lines, with 100 per cent of the dozer guard completed. 

GWF018 is currently classified as being held (BH). It is now estimated to be 49,327 ha in size. Firefighters and helicopters continue to action and monitor the area. Islands within the interior of the fire perimeter continue to show active fire behaviour, however they are not threatening guards and do not pose a threat of fire escape.

PWF034 is located approximately 21 kilometers east and northeast of Worsley and 21 kilometers North of Cleardale. It is classified as under control (UC) at 587 ha. Firefighters continue to patrol this wildfire and action any hotspots found.

Check out the Clear Hills County website for a map and additional information. These wildfires have been actioned by local fire departments with help from Alberta Wildfire.  

Continue to stay informed by subscribing to Alberta Wildfire updates by entering your email. To view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit the Wildfire Status page.

Fire behaviour on the Kimiwan Complex is expected to be HIGH today.

SWF068 is classified as Out of Control (OC) and is 138,113 hectares.

Fire activity has decreased with some precipitation, high relative humidity, and cooler temperatures. Temperatures are expected to begin increasing again this week, with forecast highs of 21C on Tuesday and 26C on Wednesday and relative humidity of 30 to 35. Winds will be light, and from the west-southwest. 

Firefighters are prioritizing and establishing containment lines in areas of potential concern on the wildfire's northern flank, continuing with patrols near communities and infrastructure. Heavy equipment is being utilized across the fire, with dozer lines being followed up with ground crews to reduce possible future flare ups. There are currently 257 firefighters and support personnel on this fire. 

An American Incident Management Team (IMT) is now managing this wildfire. Crews from Peace River, Australia, Yukon and America continue to work alongside each other. There are 217 firefighters and support personnel assigned to SWF068. 

The American IMT was brought to Alberta through the Northwest Compact, a fire protection agreement created in 1998  for the purpose of promoting effective prevention, presuppression, suppression and control of forest fires in the Northwest wildland region of the
United States and Western areas of Canada. Members are the states of Alaska, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon; the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, and the Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories.

PWF038 is classified as Under Control (UC) and is 6,533 hectares.

Reclamation work is continuing on the PWF 038 wildfire. Alberta Forestry and Parks, in its mandate to prevent and suppress wildfires within the province, is required to reclaim disturbed forest land caused by wildfire suppression operations. Wildfire reclamation is required to prevent or reduce the potential of soil erosion and ensure soil stabilization on or near the fire line.

A reminder to community members to please not drive on Seal Lake Road west of the intersection with Range Road 190.

The Kimiwan Complex and Peace River Forest Area Information Officer is Michelle Huley. Call her at  780-652-2410, or email to michelle.huley@gov.ab.ca.

For more information about wildfire in or near municipalities impacted by SWF068, please go to Northern Sunrise County or the MD of Smoky River

THE BASSET FIRE | HWF058, PWF067, PWF079 |

This fire is located approximately 13 km northwest of the of Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement boundary marker, where the Haig River meets the Chinchaga River. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) with a last recorded size of 29,809 hectares.

Firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft are worked together to cool hotspots in priority areas and establish guards along the east and southeast side, to prevent spread towards the community of Paddle Prairie. In addition, heavy equipment has made good progress creating control lines on the west flank of the fire. 

Structural protection crews have established protection on structures along the Chinchaga River. 

PWF067 is located 18 kilometers from the Keg River highway, at the 695 and highway 35 intersection. This fire is estimated to be 1,868 hectares in size and is classified as out of control (OC). At this time, firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are working on this wildfire and containment lines are in place. This fire will become part of the Basset Fire complex July 4. 

PWF079 was discovered June 29. It is approximately six hectares in size. It is currently classified as out of control (OC). Firefighters, helicopters, tankers and heavy equipment are working to contain the spread. Retardant has also been used to box in the fire and slow its spread. This fire will become part of the Basset Fire complex beginning July 4. 

For more information please visit the High Level Forest Area Update.

Colby Lachance

Wildfire Information Officer| Alberta Wildfire

Basset Wildfire (HWF058)

Ministry of Forestry and Parks

Government of Alberta

Cell: 780-404-9186

wf.hwf0582023-iof.i@gov.ab.ca (Basset Email)

colby.lachance@gov.ab.ca (Lac La Biche Email)

Using FireSmart principles is becoming a way of life for many communities in North America. With so many neighborhoods threatened by wildfire each year, residents are taking action and reducing the risk to their homes, cabins and properties. 

To learn more on how you can protect your home and structures from wildfire, visit firesmartcanada.ca or click here to watch videos. 

For those that have farm or acreages, this publication may be helpful to keep you FireSmart. Click on the link for the Farm and Acreage FireSmart Magazine.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Bookmark the Peace River Wildfire Update and check for updates anytime or subscribe to have it emailed to you. 
• You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca

CONTACT

Michelle Huley

Wildfire Information Officer, Peace River Forest Area

780-618-2081

Michelle.huley@gov.ab.ca

HELPFUL LINKS