Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update June 12, 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 66,632 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)

This complex is approximately 121,769.3 ha. More than 252 firefighters and support personnel are allocated to this fire. Partners assisting Alberta on the complex include firefighters and an incident management team from Australia, two crews from B.C., Idaho and the Canadian military. 

There are currently 15 helicopters and 8 heavy equipment groups assigned to the Eagle complex. Water trucks, air skidders, and Hagglund machines are providing additional support.

Ongoing crew activities include extending and strengthening fire containment guards for both GWF-027 and WWF-023. 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 patrolling for hot spots. A crew will work on extinguishing GWF040. 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 26C with relative humidity of 35 per cent over the complex with easterly winds continuing through the day as pressure builds before the cold front arrives. 

 A helicopter buckets water against a smoky sky .

WWF-023 detected on May 5, is listed as out of control at 66,443 ha. This wildfire was caused by lightning. 

Today, crews are focusing on hot spots along the fire perimeter, including the continuation Iosegun Lake and back along Fishpond Rd to the HWY. Heavy equipment will continue assisting with cutting more guard in the active areas of fire activity. Army personnel continue assist in clean up and perimeter patrol efforts.

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

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. Army resources continue to lend their assistance. One medium helicopter with a bucket will also bucket flames.

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 will be focusing on extinguishment of the wildfire.

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