Wildfires of note

There are 8 wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. All 8 are listed as out of control at this time.

Swan Complex (SWF076, WWF023)

Edith Lake (SWF076)

The Edith Lake wildfire is located approximately 8 km north of Swan Hills. The wildfire is currently classified as out of control and is approximately 17,208 hectares (ha) in size.

Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment focused on reinforcing containment lines along the south side of the wildfire and targeting hot spots. Cooler temperatures provided favourable conditions for wildfire suppression efforts and lower fire behavior is expected today due to cooler conditions and the recent rain in the area.

High-volume water and sprinkler systems have been successfully installed in the community of Swan Hills. 

Highway 33 remains closed southbound from the highway 2 junction near Kinuso to highway 32. The evacuation order remains in place for the community.

Hubert Lake (WWF023)

The Hubert Lake Wildfire is located 7 km west of Fawcett, 19 km north of the community of Vega, in the Hubert Lake Wildland Provincial Park. The wildfire is currently classified as out of control and is approximately 2,855 ha in size.

There has been no observed growth on the wildfire. The fire did receive small amounts of rain over the weekend which will contribute to lower fire behavior today.

Crews will continue building and reinforcing containment lines along the south side of the fire, moving toward the west. Structural protection crews remain active in the area, focusing on properties within the evacuation zone.

An evacuation order remains in place for the Hubert Lake Wildland Provincial Park on both sides of the Pembina River. 

Red Earth East Complex

The Red Earth East complex is made up of numerous wildfires centered in the northeastern portion of the Slave Lake Forest Area. Some of the wildfires in the complex include:

• SWF085 near Chipewyan Lakes is classified as out of control and is currently 132,167 ha;
• SWF092 near Red Earth Creek and Loon Lake First Nation is classified as out of control and currently 39,744 ha;
• SWF094 is classified as out of control and approximately 73,752 ha; and
• SWF095 near the Peerless Lake community is classified as out of control and currently 697 ha.

Red Earth East Complex - Evacuation orders

The following communities remain under and evacuation order:

• Chipewyan Lake;
• Peerless Lake;
• Trout Lake;
• Red Earth Creek; and
• Loon River First Nation.

The forecast for the coming days remains favorable, with conditions expected to aid ongoing containment and suppression operations. Crews are working on containment lines around these wildfires and bucketing operations from the air. Good progress has bene made on these wildfires due to the cooler temperatures and lower fire behaviour. 

January Creek (EWF036)

EWF036 is located on the south side of Peers. The wildfire is classified as out of control at 728 ha.

Alberta Wildfire firefighters, heavy equipment, helicopters and airtankers alongside Yellowhead County Fire Department continue responding to this wildfire. 

Today, low to moderate fire behaviour is expected again with some precipitation throughout the day which will allow for more aggressive firefighting efforts. Crews have made good headway in fighting this wildfire and are focusing on areas that need to be secured prior to community re-entry. 

Caribou Lake (LWF090)

Caribou Lake Wildfire (LWF090) is currently burning out of control and is an estimated 61,551 ha in size.

Minimal growth has been seen on this wildfire due to subdued temperatures and rain over the weekend. The less aggressive fire behaviour has allowed crews, heavy equipment, and helicopters to make good progress on containment lines.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has put an evacuation alert in place for the hamlet of Conklin. 

Whitefish (SWF078, SWF088)

SWF078 near Whitefish River Utikoomak Lake 155A is classified as out of control at 163 ha and SWF088 near Marten Beach is classified as out of control at 10,448 ha.

Evacuation alerts are in place for:

• Marten Beach (4 hour notice); and
• Whitefish River Utikoomak Lake 155A (2 hour notice).

There was no growth on SWF088 over night, and good progress is being made. Heavy equipment continues to build containment lines supported by helicopters bucketing on the south and east sides of the wildfire. 

Sousa Creek (HWF036)

HWF036 is located west of High Level, near the Chateh turnoff. The wildfire is classified as out of control at an estimated 33,000 ha.

This wildfire experienced some growth overnight on the southeastern flank. This wildfire is approximately 6.7 km from the southern edge of the Chateh community (at its closest point), 72 km from the western edge of the Town of High Level, and 30 km from the eastern edge of the Town of Rainbow Lake. 

Heavy equipment operators continue to build containment line east of the Chateh turnoff, along the northeastern fire perimeter, near the Sousa Creek, while firefighters with helicopter support continue to work along established containment lines on the northern and north-west perimeters. Air tanker support is available, when required and when conditions are suitable. 

Travelers on Highway 58 should expect delays or intermittent closures and are encouraged to check 511 for updates.

HWF040 east of La Crete Ferry

This wildfire is approximately 20 km east of the Tompkins Landing (La Crete) Ferry and 35 km east of Highway 35 is classified as out of control at 395 ha.

Helicopters and ground crews will continue to strengthen containment lines around the fire perimeter today focusing on the north end near highway 697. 

Tulip Lake (MWF026)

This wildfire is currently classified as out of control and is estimated at approximately 4,500 hectares. It is burning 19 km northeast of Fort Fitzgerald and 28 km east of Fort Smith.

This wildfire is showing increased activity this morning. Crews made good progress along the west side of the fire yesterday, but could be challenged today with predicted conditions. Airtankers will be available if needed throughout the day.