There are four wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
HCX001 - Semo Complex
Wildfires HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083 are part of the Semo Complex. All of these wildfires are out of control.
HWF061 is the largest wildfire in the complex and is 44,323 hectares in size. It is located 20 km northeast of Jon D'or Prairie, 19 km north of Fox Lake, 30 km northwest of Garden River and 9 km from Highway 58. It was caused by lightning.
Heavy equipment is working on the southeast side to build containment lines and crews will support the operators by extinguishing hotspots as they move north. Firefighters are finding deep hotspots and will need to use water and hand tools to dig them up and fully extinguish them. Helicopters continue to bucket along the south perimeter to help prevent the spread.
There are over 200 firefighters and support staff, 11 helicopters and 43 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex. An incident management team is overseeing operations. Additional resources will be added in the coming days.
See the High Level Forest Area update for more information.
MCX002 - Cattail Lake Complex
Wildfires MWF047 and MWF077 are part of the Cattail Lake Complex. Both of these wildfires are out of control. These wildfires were caused by lightning.
MWF047 is the largest wildfire in this complex and is 81,015 hectares in size.
This wildfire is now approximately 6.8 km northeast of industrial facilities, 53 km northeast Fort McKay and 68 km northeast of Fort McMurray. Yesterday, this fire experienced growth to the north and southeast. However, there was not as much growth as anticipated. Dozer guards are being extended as far as possible.
MWF077 is 6,075 hectares in size. This wildfire is located approximately 13.7 km south of industrial facilities, 46 km east of Fort McKay and 38 km northeast of Fort McMurray. Today, crews will work on the northwest corner of the fire perimeter where airtankers dropped retardant yesterday.
There are 264 firefighters and support staff, 18 helicopters and 30 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex. An incident management team is overseeing operations.
See the Fort McMurray Forest Area update for more information.
MCX003 - Algar Lake Complex
Wildfire MWF069 makes up the Algar Lake Complex. It is out of control and is 12,183 hectares in size. A more accurate assessment of size has decreased the number of hectares burned. This wildfire is located 11 km west of Highway 63 and 40 km southwest of Fort McMurray.
Crews continue to prioritize firefighting operations on the northeast corner of the wildfire perimeter. Helicopters continue to work on extinguishing hotspots and completing bucketing operations where required. Heavy equipment continues to work on the east of the fire on containment lines.
There are 157 firefighters and support staff, seven helicopters and heavy equipment assigned to this complex. An incident management team is overseeing operations.
See the Fort McMurray Forest Area update for more information.
MWF060 - Rabbit Lake Wildfire
Wildfire MWF060, MWF078, and MWF074 make up this complex. Is located approximately 6 km east of the Slave Lake Forest Area border and the Fort McMurray Forest Area border. It is classified as out of control and is collectively 5,127.2 hectares in size (MWF060 - 5,007 ha, MWF078 - 120 ha, MWF074 - 0.2 ha). It was caused by lightning.
Heavy equipment continues to work on the fire guard along the northeast perimeter. Helicopters continue to conduct bucketing operations to help limit the spread.
There are 20 firefighters and five helicopters working to contain this complex.
See the Fort McMurray 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