Wildfires of note

August 15, 2024

Written by Alberta Wildfire | Aug 15, 2024 4:47:00 PM

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

Jasper Wildfire Complex

ANP002 (formally ANP002 and ANP003) is classified as out of control. Parks Canada estimates its size to be approximately 33,048 ha.

The priority is to establish a 100% containment status on the northwest perimeter of the fire that presents a risk to the townsite, which is currently 99% contained or controlled. The entire fire perimeter is 78% contained or controlled. A contained fire perimeter means that the fire is not likely to spread beyond existent or predetermined boundaries under prevailing and forecasted conditions. A controlled fire perimeter means that the fire is not expected to spread any further.

Forecast shows chances of showers later this week and this should allow crews to make progress in minimizing fire activity in other parts of the park.

Crews have extinguished hot spots south of the Palisades and north of the Jasper transfer station with the support of helicopter bucketing.

Crews working south of Maligne Road are stabilizing the fire by limiting the spread using natural fire breaks like rock features and the road. Crews in the Whirlpool area are working to cut off further spread to maintain habitat for caribou.

Jasper National Park is closed. See Wildfire status — Jasper Wildfire Complex for more information.

An evacuation order has been issued for the Municipality of Jasper. See Municipality of Jasper Re-entry Criteria for information about re-entry.

See 511 Alberta for information on highway closures.

HCX001 - Semo Complex 

Wildfires HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083, HWF136 and HWF141 are part of the Semo Complex.

HWF061 is classified as out of control and is 107,267 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 classified as out of control and is 6,352 ha in size. It is located north of highway 58 and approximately 13 km northwest of Garden River.

Other fires in this complex are within or near the Caribou Mountain Wildland Provincial Park. These fires are being held and are being monitored for growth and activity. 

Firefighters and heavy equipment continue to work along the southern perimeter of HWF061 to extinguish hotspots and reduce spread. Heavy equipment is also working on the west side, moving to the south as operators construct a containment line. The northeast side of HWF061 is seeing some fire activity, which we continue to monitor. This growth is not a concern, as the fire is moving north into the previously burnt area of HWF141. 

Construction of the guard on the northeast perimeter of HWF136 continues as equipment travels west to build containment lines. There is minimal activity on HWF136. Very few hotspots were found on the south side of HWF136, north of highway 58.

There are currently 711 firefighters and support personnel, 24 helicopters and 131 pieces of heavy equipment working on the Semo Wildfire Complex.

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. 

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