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.
The northwest wildfire perimeter is now at 99 per cent contained. The fire around Kerkeslin Campground is now fully contained. Fire operations on the ground continue to be supported by helicopter bucketing operations. While containment efforts on the northern fire perimeter continue to make gains.
The park received rain overnight in the Maligne Valley area and Whistlers Mountain, however no rain was received in the valley bottom and vegetation remains dry. Twelve helicopters, including a long ranger, will conduct air operations today. On the ground, crews are removing downed trees around the Caribou Conservation Breeding facility. If conditions allow, fire crews will conduct ignition operations along the Jasper SkyTram Road to bring the wildfire down from the steep slope it is burning on to an area that is safe for fighters to work on. Ignition tactics are used to reduce fire spread by removing fuels, like downed trees and other dry vegetation, under controlled conditions. Specific criteria must be met for these operations to take place.
Miette, Snaring, and Snaring Overflow campgrounds have been assessed and are now safe to access for pick-up of items left behind during the evacuation. Campers who have equipment in these locations are being contacted to coordinate equipment retrieval. Once hazard trees and road conditions are assessed in other Parks Canada campgrounds and their access is deemed safe, visitors will be contacted to coordinate property retrieval. All campgrounds in Jasper National Park remain closed.
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 105,135 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 6,340 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 and classified as being held. 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 2,534 ha; HWF081, which is classified as being held and last estimated at 50,149 ha; and HWF083, which is classified as being held at 33,804 ha.
Firefighters, heavy equipment and helicopters with bucketing capability are working along the southern perimeter of HWF061 to extinguish hotspots. Heavy equipment is also on the west side moving to the south as operators construct line. Operators are also making progress around the spot fire south of HWF061 and north of highway 58, working on the northwest perimeter to tie it into the main fire just to the north. The northwest side of HWF061 is seeing a lot of fire activity which we continue to monitor; there are no concerns in that area at this time. The southern perimeter continues to be the main priority.
Work on the guard on the northeast perimeter of HWF136 fire continues as they head west to build containment lines. There was an increase in activity on HWF136, but crews are working to tie in small excursions with natural fuel breaks on the northwest corner. Due to dry conditions, this is expected and crews will work with helicopters bucketing to cool any areas of spread.
There are over 750 firefighters and support staff, 24 helicopters and 137 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