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, one is classified as being held (BH) and one is under control (UC). 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

Wildland firefighters conduct ignition operations to remove fuels. This is a very effective way to remove unburnt fuels between the fire and perimeter control lines.

PEMBINA WILDFIRE COMPLEX - EWF031/039, RWF034/040

Yesterday, overhead smoke in many areas of the fire tampered fire behaviour. Today, temperatures are again expected into the mid-20s with relative humidity around 40 per cent. Winds today are expected 10 to 15 kilometers per hour from the northeast, shifting to 10 to 15 kilometers per hour from the northwest into the afternoon with the arrival of a cold front.

A low will develop over central Alberta this afternoon bringing gusty winds up to 30 kilometers per hour predominantly from the northwest and, as well, potentially some rainfall totaling approximately 15 to 30 millimeters.

Crew swing shifts have been established to allow for longer operational coverage on the fireline. Crews will now be working shifts from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from noon to 2 a.m. This allows crews to work late into the evening when the fire is less aggressive. Beginning Tuesday, a night contingent will begin working through the night allowing for 24/7 suppression activities. Aerial resources will continue to support ground personnel as required. Additional resources will continue to arrive over the coming days. Aerial support, personnel and heavy equipment continues to strategically work ahead of areas threatening adjacent values.

The north edge of the fire has grown beyond McLeod River and is continuing to grow in the direction of Highway 16.

Fire that grew north of the McLeod River covers an area of approximately 250 hectares. Machine guard has been established ahead of the most northern edge of this finger to limit any further growth in this area under current conditions. Yesterday, crews extinguished to 100 feet into the fire perimeter around the fire that crossed over the McLeod River. Crews will continue to work in this area today to ensure 100 per cent extinguishment. 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. A heavy equipment task force completed guard construction along the west side of this finger from Highway 47 towards the McLeod River. An American hot shot crew carried out planned ignition operations to remove unburned fuels between the west flank and the newly built guard. This ignition operation will allow crews to further secure this area of the fire. Crews will continue to mop up and patrol this flank today to further secure it. On the east side of the finger, fixed-wing retardant airtankers slowed the spread of the fire in anticipation for a heavy equipment task force to build a control line in this area. This operation commenced yesterday and was supported by ground personnel and aerial support. Personnel will remain in this area to continue patrol and mop up in this flank today to further secure it.

Over the weekend, 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 632 wildfires burning a total of 1,395,571.15 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.