Wildfires of note

September 26, 2023

Posted on Tue, Sep 26, 2023

There are two wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

Basset Complex (HWF-058, PWF-067)

  • Wildfires HWF-058, PWF-067 and PWF-079 are part of the Basset Complex and are being managed together.
  • Wildfire HWF-058 is located 15 km northwest of Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement and 43 km southwest of the town of High Level. It is classified as out of control at 252,040 hectares.
  • Wildfire PWF-067 is located 3.7 km west of highway 35 and 10 km south of the Keg River. It is classified as under control at 5,248 hectares.
  • Recent rain has lowered fire activity on wildfire HWF-058. Firefighters continue to extinguish hot spots and are assisted by helicopters who are bucketing in the area. 
  • Heavy equipment has completed control lines around the southeast side of the fire and are moving east along the fire perimeter. The guards in place on the south end of the wildfire continue to hold. 
  • This fire has impacted the power line that runs along highway 58 resulting in the loss of power to the communities of Rainbow Lake, Chateh and Zama City. ATCO crews have assessed the damage and are working to replace poles. Highway 58 remains closed at this time.

Wood Buffalo Complex (MNZ003)

  • Alberta Wildfire, Parks Canada and the Northwest Territories are working together on this wildfire under Unified Command.
  • Wood Buffalo complex is currently 503,907 hectares in size. It is located approximately 3.4 km south of Fort Smith, NWT and 3.1 km south of Fort Fitzgerald, AB.
  • There are firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment working on this complex.
  • Firefighters continue to strengthen containment lines and extinguish hot spots along the perimeter closest to communities.
  • For information on wildfires within Wood Buffalo National Park, click here.
  • For more information on wildfires within Northwest Territories, click here.

This information is updated daily.


A wildfire of note is determined to be of significant public interest and may pose a threat to public safety, communities or critical infrastructure.

Wildfires of note do not typically include mutual aid wildfires located outside of the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Alberta Wildfire provides assistance on a mutual aid wildfire but is not the lead agency.


The Forest Protection Area of Alberta is divided into ten forest areas. Find the latest updates for each area or subscribe to receive them in your inbox. 

Calgary Forest Area 

Edson Forest Area 

Fort McMurray Forest Area 

Grande Prairie Forest Area 

High Level Forest Area 

Lac La Biche Forest Area 

Peace River Forest Area 

Rocky Mountain House Forest Area 

Slave Lake Forest Area 

Whitecourt Forest Area