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.
Yesterday provided a sizable win for all involved in achieving 80% containment of the northwest perimeter at the wildfire. Further risks to the Municipality of Jasper have been significantly reduced thanks to the hard work and dedication of amazing firefighters and other fire specialists from around the country. Overnight infrared scanning operations were completed using drones to identify hot spots in uncontained areas. Crews will focus further on these areas in the coming days. While there is significant containment on the northern fire perimeter near the townsite, the wildfire remains classified out of control.
Today, fire crews will continue extinguishing hot spots and fire suppression efforts in the Palisades area, supported by helicopter bucketing operations. Patrols for hot spots are ongoing south of the Transfer Station, between the highway and railway, and along Marmot Road. A small-scale tactical ignition, supported by bucketing operations, is planned for today by the base of the SkyTram, provided conditions allow. These tactics are conducted to reduce further risks of wildfire spread, by controlling burn fuels occurring naturally on the landscape, such as dry vegetation like downed trees and scattered brush and branches. Crews will also be at the Kerkeslin Campground area working to extinguish and contain the fire there.
Intense fire activity in the initial days of the wildfire slowed down the ability for firefighters to access Maligne Lake. Of the many structures found in the Maligne Canyon area, some of the more prominent ones destroyed by the fire include the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen, and all structures at the Maligne Wilderness Hostel. The Maligne Lake Boat House still stands, as well as the structures in the Maligne Lake area.
Information on infrastructure damage in Jasper National Park can also be found at https://parks.canada.ca/.../feu-alert.../feudeforet-wildfire
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.
HWF061 is the largest wildfire in the complex and is 100,791 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 6,258 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. HWF141, which is currently classified as 'being held' north of HWF061 and east of HWF081, covering approximately 2,450 ha; HWF081, which is classified as 'being held' and last estimated at 50,081 ha; and HWF083, which is classified as 'being held' at 33,740 ha.
Firefighters, heavy equipment operators and helicopters with bucketing capability continue their efforts to extinguish hotspots on the southern perimeter of HWF061 and on the northwest corner of HWF136. These resources also continue to identify and extinguish hotspots and spot fires on the southern perimeter of HWF061 and the northwest perimeter of HWF136.
Heavy equipment operators will continue to work on the guard heading east along the south perimeter of HWF061. Heavy equipment is also making progress around the spot fire directly south of HWF061. The northwest side of HWF061 saw increased fire activity yesterday, which we continue to monitor. 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 and other areas that require fire suppression.
There are over 600 firefighters and support staff, 45 helicopters and 112 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