Rocky Mountain House Area Update

The wildfire danger in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area is high. 

Report smoke or fire in the forest by calling 310-FIRE (3473). 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE FOREST AREA UPDATE

There are currently four wildfires burning in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area. Two of these wildfires are out of control, two are being held and two are classified as under control. Since January 1, 2023, there have been 55 wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, burning a total of 120,545.15 hectares (ha). 

Initial attack and lookout resources remain diligent with fixed detection and aerial patrols.

ACTIVE WILDFIRES

NEW STARTS:

RWF054 - This wildfire is located about 25 km southwest of Sundre and is classified as "being held" It was detected at 6:00 p.m. yesterday and is 3.6 hectares in size. 

RWF055 - This wildfire was detected this morning and is classified as "being held" at 0.25 hectares.

RCU005 - This wildfire is classified as being held. Alberta Wildfire continues to support RCU005 with resources. Given the current weather conditions, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries.

PEMBINA WILDFIRE COMPLEX - EWF031/039, RWF034/040

Over the last 48-hours with temperatures around 30 degrees and low relative humidity down to 20 per cent, observed fire behaviour has been extreme. Yesterday, overhead smoke and lighter winds tampered fire behaviour in some areas of the fire.

As anticipated, yesterday evening, a cold front tracked across the fire area bringing minimal amounts of precipitation and winds from the northwest to west. Overnight relative humidity went up to nearly 80 per cent and anywhere from 5-15 mm of precipitation was received in different areas of the fire. Today, higher humidity around 45 per cent and temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s will provide slight reprieve with significantly slower rate of fire spreading. This will provide an opportunity for firefighters to re-establish their situational awareness in new areas of the fire where growth occurred over the past 48-hours.

Aerial support, including fixed-wing retardant airtankers, water skimmers and helicopters were used ahead of advancing flame fronts along the northwest, north and southeast sides of the fire yesterday. Aerial resources will continue to support ground personnel as required.

The north edge of the fire has grown beyond McLeod River and is continuing to grow in the direction of Highway 16. Wildland firefighters and structural firefighters will continue to work along the Highway 16 and Highway 47 corridors to protect values adjacent to the fire. This includes the protection of power poles and working with local industry to ensure critical infrastructure is maintained. Crews are continuing to work with Yellowhead County and the Town of Edson to patrol and set up structure protection as required ahead of the fire.

The northwest flank of the fire grew has grown beyond Highway 47 and has reached Fickle Lake. Yesterday and today, newly arrived hot shot crew from the United States will be working in this area to support suppression efforts. This morning, airtankers and skimmers helped to slow fire spread in the Fickle Lake area.

Yesterday, west of Highway 753, heavy equipment bolstered control lines to the east of the fire. Crews also worked to strengthen the containment line from Tidewater Road moving south towards the Brazeau Reservoir. A heavy equipment task force also completed a new containment line adjacent to the Brazeau Reservoir where 50 ha grew beyond control lines. This area of the fire was supported by skimmers and crews will continue to work towards containment in this area of the fire today.

New information on this complex will be available this evening. For wildfire updates on this group of wildfires, please visit the Edson Forest Area Update.

Credit to: Sarah Hall, Pembina Complex. Wildfire Information Officer, BC Wildfire Service.

If you have any questions or concerns about the PEMBINA COMPLEX, please call the Area Wildfire Information Officer:  Caroline Charbonneau at 780-740-1341.

Lightning through the area may cause new wildfire starts. Lightning-caused wildfires can smoulder in the ground for a few days before becoming active and visible. This is called a "holdover" fire. Alberta Wildfire follows weather forecasts and tracks each lightning strike using a tracking system. This allows them to pinpoint where there are areas that have been heavily impacted by lightning. They then send out firefighters to patrol these areas.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE 

Since January 1,2023, in the Forest Protection Area, there have been 629 wildfires burning a total of 1,338,055.77 ha.

WILDFIRE DASHBOARD

The wildfire dashboard provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more.

The dashboard builds on the former wildfire status map by displaying the most frequently accessed information in one convenient location.

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.