Wildfires of note

August 18, 2024

Written by Alberta Wildfire | Aug 18, 2024 4:21:15 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 being held. Parks Canada estimates its size to be 33,000 ha.

The ignition at the air strip is now fully extinguished. Firefighters spent much of the day gridding, which is going section by section looking for any remaining hot spots, working into the centre of the wildfire from the contained perimeter. In the past 24 hours, 2 mm of rain fell in Jasper, with variable amounts across the wildfire including 10 mm on the south end.

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

See Municipality of Jasper Re-entry Criteria for information about re-entry into the Jasper townsite.

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 106,574 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 being held and is 6,158 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, helicopters, and heavy equipment continue to work along the southern perimeter of HWF061 to extinguish hotspots and reduce spread. There is still heat over the southern perimeter of the guard, but crews are working hard to contain these small excursions with additional guard and extinguish them. Heavy equipment is also working on the west side, moving to the south as operators construct a containment line. Heavy equipment has completed their work on the east side and will now start work on a contingency line running north from highway 58 to the west side, which will also provide better access for crews.

Construction of guard on the northeast perimeter of HWF136 fire is continuing as heavy equipment travels west to build containment lines. There is minimal fire activity on HWF136. Crews and heavy equipment are working on small excursions on the northeast corner.

There are currently 601 firefighters and support personnel, 24 helicopters and 130 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