There are five wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
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 105,295 ha in size.
This wildfire is approximately 6.8 km northeast of industrial facilities, 53 km northeast Fort McKay and 68 km northeast of Fort McMurray. Yesterday, smoky conditions kept wildfire behavior lower.
MWF077 is 18,012 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. Firefighting and bucketing will continue on the northwest corner of MWF077 and on the southwest portion of MWF047. Another challenging day for firefighting is expected today.
There are over 250 firefighters and support staff, 18 helicopters and 16 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.
LCX001 - Kettle River Complex
Wildfire LWF136 is burning out of control in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. This wildfire is approximately 500 hectares (ha) in size. It is located approximately 15 km north of Janvier.
This wildfire grew to the southwest yesterday. Night operations responded in the overnight hours when it was safe to due so. Smoky conditions are making air support challenging. They will continue to respond when the conditions are safe to do so. Crews and heavy equipment are back working on this wildfire today focusing on establishing a fire guard on the southern perimeter with support from helicopters. There is potential for extreme wildfire behavior once smoky conditions clear today. Crews are preparing for another challenging day for firefighting.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has issued an evacuation alert for the hamlet of Janvier.
See the Lac La Biche Forest Area update for more information.
HCX001 - Semo Complex
Wildfires HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083 and HWF136 are part of the Semo Complex. Wildfire HWF136 is a new start that was detected July 16 and is now included in this complex. All of these wildfires are out of control.
HWF061 is the largest wildfire in the complex and is 61,989 ha in size. It is located 16 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.
There was active fire activity along the southwest and south sides of the perimeter. Fire activity is expected to get more intense towards throughout the weekend, as the hot and dry weather continues. Heavy equipment continues to work on the fireguard.
There are over 200 firefighters and support staff, ten helicopters and 43 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex. An incident management team is overseeing operations. Additional resources will be added later this week.
See the High Level Forest Area update for more information.
MCX003 - Algar Lake Complex
Wildfire MWF069 and MWF086 make up the Algar Lake Complex. As a result of a lightning storm, wildfire MWF086 was detected yesterday and is now included in this complex.
Wildfire MWF069 is out of control and is 15,235 ha in size. This wildfire is located 10 km west of Highway 63 and 40 km southwest of Fort McMurray.
Wildfire MWF086 is out of control and is approximately 500 ha in size. This wildfire is located approximately 8km north of the MWF069 perimeter.
Yesterday, fire crews consolidated and retrieved firefighting equipment from key areas. This equipment is ready to be repositioned based on areas of priority. Bucketing helicopters and airtankers actioned hot spots on the fire, notably on the north side of the northeast corner, where fire MWF069 did take on some growth on Wednesday afternoon.
There are 160 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.
HWF030 - Amber River Fire
Wildfire HWF030 is out of control and is approximately 3,156 ha in size. This wildfire is located 10km southwest of Zama City. Dozers have completed a fireguard along the south side of the fire, and crews are working on reinforcing containment lines. Helicopters are supporting this wildfire by bucketing on priority areas.
There are 134 firefighters and support staff, 12 helicopters and heavy equipment assigned to this 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.
Rocky Mountain House Forest Area