Rain fell across the Eagle complex today bringing relief for firefighters who continue their work to establish containment lines around the wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY INFORMATION
We urge everyone in this area to monitor Alberta Emergency Alert. The municipalities will instruct the public regarding evacuation alerts or orders. To learn more, visit: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx
You can also monitor your community/municipal Facebook pages for updates.
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)
ACTIVE WILDFIRES
Provincial overview:
As of 9:00 p.m. today there were 67 active wildfires in the province; 19 of them were classified out of control. To date the province has responded to 521 wildfires that have consumed more than 1,000,000 hectares (ha) of land.
Eagle Complex WCX-001 (WWF-023, GPF-027)
Ian Staley, Fire Behaviour Analyst with the Ontario Incident Management Team checking rain gauges on the Eagle complex.
All new information will be bolded.
WWF-023 detected on May 5, is listed as out of control at 72,830 ha. Firefighters saw no further growth towards Fox Creek today.
Crews continued working in from the perimeter along the fire guard along the Iosegun Lake road. Along the excursion south of Highway 43 firefighters built more hose line along the wildfire and heavy equipment groups are establishing more fire breaks along that same line.
There are more than 139 firefighters and support personnel allocated to this fire along with a structural protection unit and the Fox Creek Fire Department. Partners assisting Alberta on the complex include firefighters from Colorado, New Brunswick and soldiers from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment.
For a second day weather conditions kept helicopters on the ground today. There are currently 15 helicopters assigned to the Eagle complex.
Additionally, three structural groups from municipalities in the Alberta Wildland Urban Interface Fire Structure Protection Program have been working together on structural protection for the community.
Weather Today, Showers and thunderstorms advance north into the boreal and taper as an upper level low weakens. Expect heaviest rainfall in the northeast foothills with 10-20 additional mm.
GWF-027 was detected on May 13 and is out of control at 54,274 ha. Two dozer groups and crews worked the southern edge of the wildfire today.
OTHER AREA ACTIVE WILDFIRES
WWF029 was detected the afternoon of May 15 and is classified being held at approximately 0.26 ha. Alberta Wildfire has two ground crews and two helicopters on site monitoring.
WWF026 was detected on the afternoon of May 12 and is classified as under control at 0.05 ha. It is currently on patrol status with crews monitoring.
WWF024 was detected on May 6 and is under control at 3 ha. Alberta Wildfire will continue working to extinguish the fire. A dozer guard has been constructed by industry personnel.
WWF020 and WWF021 were detected on May 4 and are each considered under control.
WWF015 located near the Hamlet of Blue Ridge was detected on May 3 and is under control at 47 ha. Alberta Wildfire has a crew, with water tankers, dozers and a skidder who will continue working until the fire is deemed extinguished. An aerial assessment of this fire on May 12th saw no detection of smoke and fire activity.
*Extinguished fires are not reported on this page. Refer to the Alberta Status Dashboard for information about these fires.
AREA ADJACENT WILDFIRES
Deep Creek Complex (WCU001, WCU002, EWF035)
EWF035, WCU001 & WCU002 are part of the Deep Creek Complex. For wildfire updates on this group of wildfires, please visit https://srd.web.alberta.ca/edson-area-update.
Grizzly Complex (SWF057, SWF063, SWF064)
For wildfire updates on this group of wildfires, please visit https://srd.web.alberta.ca/slave-lake-area-update.
The above wildfires remain under investigation. To learn more about wildfire classifications, click here.
Volunteer Information
Volunteers, equipment owners/operators or firefighters looking to assist with these wildfires or any of the wildfires within the province, please contact EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.
FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION NOW IN EFFECT
A fire ban and OHV restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area due to extreme fire danger.
Under this fire ban:
Prohibited:
Allowed:
If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.
The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Find wildfire forecasts, weather maps and information about how fire danger is monitored in Alberta please visit: alberta.ca/fire-weather-and-forecasts.aspx
Stay tuned to albertafirebans.ca throughout the wildfire season for more information about fire bans and restrictions in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
WHITECOURT FOREST AREA UPDATE
Since January 1, 2023, there have been 30 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 87,949 ha.
Visit our website and click on the interactive map to view active wildfires and their stats on the wildfire dashboard.
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.
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
Websites:
Social Media: