There are five wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
MCX002 - Cattail Lake Complex
Wildfires MWF047 and MWF077 and MWF079 are part of the Cattail Lake Complex. All of these wildfires are out of control except for MWF079, which is being held.
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.
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.
Yesterday, smoky conditions kept wildfire behavior lower with no significant activity or growth observed yesterday. Firefighting and bucketing will continue on the northwest corner of MWF077 and the western flank of MWF047. Another challenging day for firefighting is expected today.
There are over 250 firefighters and support staff, 19 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.
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.
Fire activity was subdued yesterday due to the smoke. Smokey conditions will persist today and make air support challenging. They will continue to respond when conditions are safe to do so. Crews are preparing for another challenging day for firefighting. There is potential for extreme wildfire behavior once smoky conditions clear.
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. 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.
Today, heavy equipment is working on building containment lines on southern flank of this fire. If visibility improves, helicopters and airtankers will provide support. Fire activity is expected to remain intense 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.
Garden River remains under an evacuation order. An evacuation alert is now in place for John D'or Prairie and Fox Lake. Visit Alberta Emergency Alert for more information.
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 16,456 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 1,682 ha in size. This wildfire is located approximately 8km north of the MWF069 perimeter.
Air operations were grounded yesterday at the Algar Lake Complex due to persisting widespread smoke in the air. The smoke cooled temperatures and provided subdued fire behaviour in the areas where crews were working.
There are over 110 firefighters and support staff, seven helicopters and 11 pieces of 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 3,221 ha in size. This wildfire is located 10km southwest of Zama City and is now classified as being held. Today, crews will work on priority areas of the fire.
This wildfire will be removed as a wildfire of note starting tomorrow.
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