Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update June 10, 2023

Stay away from active wildfire areas | For your safety and to ensure firefighters can do their job safely, please stay away from active wildfire areas. Your cooperation is essential.

Danger trees | Be extra cautious near burnt areas and avoid forested areas that have been recently affected by wildfire. Hazards remain from falling trees or branches, especially if windy, deep ash pits and burning peat.

Reporting wildfires | Firefighters continue to work on out of control wildfires and fire lookouts are watching for smoke. While we always appreciate people calling in to report wildfires, the large volume of calls we are currently receiving is diverting our resources away from fighting wildfires. As always, please still call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flame that looks new and potentially unreported, but assume that large columns of smoke and burned over areas have already been detected and reported.

The interior of active wildfires can flare up as previously unburnt vegetation catches fire. This is a normal occurrence. Firefighters are monitoring these active fires and working to put out hot spots. There is no need to report flame or smoke in these areas.

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, and take necessary precautions if you have smoke-related health 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 Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada

WHITECOURT FOREST AREA UPDATE

Since January 1, 2023, there have been 42 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 121,898 ha.

Visit our website and click on the interactive map to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard. 

There was no overnight lightening or precipitation within the forest area. With higher temperatures and a heat warning across much of the forest area, there is potential for increased fire activity as the week continues. Today, winds are anticipated to be E/SE 20-25km/h. 

ACTIVE WILDFIRES 

Eagle Complex WCX-001 (WWF023, GWF027, GWF040)

More than 180 firefighters and support personnel are allocated to this fire. Partners assisting Alberta on the complex include firefighters and an incident management team from Australia, New Zealand, two crews from B.C., Idaho and the Canadian military. 

There are currently 15 helicopters and 6 heavy equipment groups assigned to the Eagle complex. Water trucks and air skidders are providing additional support.

Ongoing crew activities include extending and strengthening fire containment guards for both GWF-027 and WWF-023, including the wildfire extension on GWF-027. This is being completed by both ground crews and heavy machinery teams. Crews are also continuing to work along priority spots on the fire line for both fires (GWF-027 and WWF-023) extinguishing active fire and patroling for hot spots. Air operations with buckets continue to support grounds crews dependent on resource availability.

Fire activity within the Eagle Complex today has included smokes over WWF023, the quieter of the two fires, with higher towers of smoke and areas of flame over GWF-027. 

Temperatures are anticipated to reach a high of 21c over the complex with winds from the North at 10-15 km/h and some precipitation.

WWF-023 detected on May 5, is listed as out of control at 66,443 ha. Investigation has determined that this wildfire to be caused by lightning.

Crews are prioritizing extinguishment and containment efforts on priority identified hot spots which included the north side of the fire by Meekwap Lake, and working on clean up and recovery efforts where there is little fire activity between Iosegun and Raspberry lakes. Army personnel continue assist in clean up and perimeter patrol efforts.

Conditions over this fire were smoky as the day progressed. Winds were from the east until the western winds coming from GWF027 came through.

Even though vegetation can be green, grasses and trees can still burn. The below photo includes seemingly health vegetation that is matted and dry, factors which increase its burn factor.

 An example of vegetation within WWF023 (June 10, 2023).

GWF-027 was detected on May 13 and is out of control at 55,325 ha. Cause for this wildfire is under investigation.

Activity today was variable within the fire size. Fire activity was prevalent within areas along the south west and south areas.

Some precipitation and lightning strikes were seen in the west side, while the south had multiple smokes with fire reaching the tops of trees at times. Winds shifted from the SW to NW direction.

Dozer guards continue to be expanded and strengthened for reinforcement. Unit crews from both B.C. Sierras and Sarver contractors continue to work priority areas, including areas of activity in the south and south east of this wildfire. Army resources continue to lend their assistance. One medium helicopter with a bucket was helpful to tame flames, with adjacent crews from B.C. hosing with the goal to prevent the fire from jumping from the north to south.

Smoke columns from GWF027 (June 10, 2023).

GWF-040 was on June 7 and is listed as being held at 1.3 ha.

Containment guard has been established by heavy equipment with support from a ground crew. Crews only noticed activity within the very centre of the fire.

An aerial view over GWF40 (June 10, 2023).

WWF015 detected on April 29 is still Under Control at 47 ha. Crews are actively monitoring.

All wildfires in Alberta are investigated and these wildfires remain under investigation. To learn more about wildfire classifications, click here. 

*Extinguished fires are not reported on this page. Refer to the Alberta Status Dashboard for information about these fires.

• For road closure information, please visit 511.alberta.ca
• The NASA FIRMS Fire Information website is a great resource to give an idea of the location of wildfires in the area, but it should be noted that this data is based on interpolation and often can make a wildfire appear larger than it actually is. Wildfire smoke is a tool used for the location of smoke firesmoke.ca
• Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link.
• Please visit Alberta Emergency Alerts for your community webpage for more information.
  

780-778-7166 if this line is unavailable, please call 780-778-7153

General Information Related to Alberta Wildfire or Fire Bans, Restrictions, or Advisories

1-866-FYI-FIRE

General/Other Forestry Related Questions

780-778-7153