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 32,780 ha. The north and south fires both spread towards the Jasper townsite and have merged together.
Cool, wet weather earlier this week allowed crews to make great gains in minimalizing fire activity, although yesterday saw some increase in intensity. Yesterday, crews responded to areas where previously smoldering fires resurfaced. Air and ground operations continue to work in tandem on fire suppression efforts, while focusing on the safe return of residents.
The Municipality of Jasper continues to make visual progress and crews have made great strides in reconnecting gas, water and electricity to essential facilities and some residential blocks.
AB Highway 16 opened to all traffic on August 9. The highway is open to all east and westbound traffic daily from 7 am to 9 pm (MT). Times and access are subject to change without notice and are dependent on fire behaviour and operational needs. There are no available services between Hinton and Mount Robson.
Alberta Wildfire is assisting Parks Canada with the Jasper Wildfire Complex by providing firefighters, support staff heavy equipment and helicopters.
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.
A substantial amount of work has been done on the southern end of HWF061; the guard has been completed from 2km west of Foggy Tower Road heading eastward, past the Wentzel River and halfway through the perimeter in between the main fire and the spot fire closest to Highway 58. Heavy equipment will be continuing this guard heading east. The guard on the east side of the fire is continuing, heading south, to eventually meet up with the heavy equipment group previously mentioned on the southern perimeter.
Heavy equipment is also making progress around the spot fire, working on the northern perimeter heading west, as well as rounding the west side going east. The northwest side of HWF061 is seeing a lot of fire activity which we continue to monitor; there are no concerns in that area. The southern perimeter continues to be the main priority.
Bucketing operations will continue overnight on the south side of HWF061, east of the Wentzel River.
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