Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update May 21, 2023 (8:00 P.M.)

ACTIVE WILDFIRES 

Provincial overview:

As of 7:30 p.m. today there were 84 active wildfires in the province; 22 of them were classified out of control. To date the province has responded to 501wildfires that have consumed more than 944,000 hectares (ha) of land.

Eagle Complex WCX-001 (WWF-023, GPF-027)

A New Brunswick firefighter checks the pumps feeding water to the fire guard near Iosegun Lake west of Fox Creek to ensure all are functioning properly.

All new information will be bolded.

WWF-023 detected on May 5, is burning out of control at 72,830 ha. Firefighters saw no further growth towards Fox Creek today. 

Crews continue to make good progression with hose lines working east from fox creek along the perimeter and north from losegun lake south to fox creek as well as cat guard to the west of Fox Creek.

The warm temperatures coupled with winds clearing of smoke over the fire resulted in pockets of active fire behaviour popping up along the north edge of the excursion that crossed Highway 43 north of Fox Creek. Heavy helicopters were able to target these active areas and firefighters followed up to ensure any growth was kept to a minimum.

Crews in the Iosegun Lake area patrolled the established fire guard attacking hotspots while firefighters working west of Highway 43 moved in from the north and south ends making good progress with pumps and hose. That work south if Highway 43 is scheduled to be reinforced by heavy equipment operators who will be building dozer guards around the wildfire in that area.

Alberta has 40 firefighters and support personnel allocated to this fire along with a structural protection unit and the Fox Creek Fire Department. Partners from other jurisdictions include Helitack crew members from Oregon, 20 Colorado-based firefighters, soldiers from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, and a 19 member unit crew from New Brunswick.

There are currently 17 helicopters assigned to the Eagle complex including 2 heavy helicopters dedicated to bucketing operations. 

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.

Meteorologists with Alberta Wildfire indicate there is strong possibility of significant precipitation and cooler temperatures are coming to the region over the coming days. The forecasted conditions will help to decrease fire danger levels and allow firefighters to further expand on gains already made in containing wildfires in the area.

Today, A surface front through BC and a trough through Alberta will produce widespread showers and risk of thunder showers from the southwestern boreal to the southern eastern slopes. Winds today will be E-NW 10-15 km/h with gusts to 40 km/h.

GWF-027 was detected on May 13 and is out of control at 55, 135 ha. Whitecourt Forest Area is responsible for managing this wildfire as of May 18. For information up to May 17, please refer to Grande Prairie Forest Area updates here. 

Today saw active fire behaviour on the wildfire and lightening was detected in the area. Smoke over the wildfire made operations difficult. Two dozer groups are moving to the wildfire tomorrow and will begin building containment lines. 

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.

FIRE BAN AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RESTRICTION NOW IN EFFECT

Under this fire ban:

• All existing Fire Permits are suspended (or cancelled)
• No new Fire Permits will be issued

Prohibited:

• All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
• Backyard firepits
• BBQ charcoal briquettes
• The use of fireworks and exploding targets
• The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands, including designated OHV trails

Allowed:

• Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
• Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
• Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
• All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards
• Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes
• Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs
• Off-highway vehicle use is still permitted on private lands

If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

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