There are two wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
Jasper Wildfire Complex
Wildfire ANP002 (formally ANP002 and ANP003) is classified as OUT OF CONTROL and Parks Canada is reporting the size to be 33,000 ha. The north and south fires both spread towards the Jasper townsite and have merged together.
Progress is being made in the areas of the Palisades Centre and Pyramid Lake Lodge and work in that area is ongoing. Crews will continue patrols for hot spots from south if Moberly Bridge and areas between lakes Annette and Trefoil. Hot spots are also being extinguished within 30m of Kerkeslin Campground, the Athabasca Falls area and Cavell Station.
Visible progress in the Municipality of Jasper continues as crews work diligently in preparing for the resumption of essential services and the safe return of residents. Hazard mitigation and debris removal within the townsite is ongoing and utilities crews are making headway in reconnecting gas, water, and electricity to essential facilities, as well as some residential blocks.
Heavy equipment work on private property is only taking place to address an immediate public safety hazard. For example: an unstable chimney, tree or partial wall that could fall over. These are hazards that would otherwise prevent a homeowner, or an insurance adjuster from entering the site at all. Crews are not sifting through or removing any debris on private property.Alberta Wildfire is assisting Parks Canada with the Jasper Wildfire Complex by providing firefighters, heavy equipment and a helicopter.
For the most up-to-date information on this Complex, visit Parks Canada's website.
The Municipality of Jasper has issued an evacuation order for Jasper National Park. Visit Alberta Emergency Alert for more information.
Highway 16 will reopen to traffic today. Visit 511 Alberta for more information on highway closures.
HCX001 - Semo Complex
Wildfires HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083, HWF136 and HWF141 are part of the Semo Complex. All of these wildfires are out of control.
HWF061 is the largest wildfire in the complex and is 97,526 ha in size. It is located 19 km northeast of John D'or Prairie, 15 km north of Fox Lake and 1.9 km north of Highway 58. It was caused by lightning.
HWF136 is 6,134 ha in size. It is located north of highway 58 and approximately 13 km northwest of Garden River.
HWF053 is approximately 709 ha in size. It is located directly above HWF061.
Other fires in this complex are within or nearby Caribou Mountain Wildland Provincial Park. These fires will be monitored for growth and activity.
Heavy equipment will be continuing the fire guard heading east. Crews and helicopters with bucketing capabilities continue to clean up hotspots along this guard. Heavy equipment operators are making their way to the east side of the perimeter and will be working their way south towards the southern guard. Fire behaviour is expected to increase with the increase in temperature and drying conditions over the weekend.
There are 455 firefighters and support staff, 24 helicopters and 103 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex. An incident management team is overseeing operations.
See the High Level Forest Area update for more information.
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.
Rocky Mountain House Forest Area