There are four 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 105,515 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 19,122 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.
Smoky conditions continued yesterday, keeping fire behavior lower with no significant growth observed. We are running 24 hour operations on this complex and have made good progress. Crews and helicopters continue their work to establish containment lines on the western flank of MWF047.
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
The Kettle River Complex includes 17 wildfires: LWF101 LWF123, LWF124, LWF126, LWF136, LWF139, LWF140, LWF141, LWF142, LWF143, LWF152, LWF155, LWF156, LWF159, LWF162, LWF164 and LWF168.
LWF136 is classified as out of control at 500 ha in size. It is located approximately 12 km north of the community of Janvier and 3 km from highway 881.
LWF164 is classified as out of control at 936 ha in size. It is located approximately 12km northeast of Conklin along highway 881.
LWF152 is classified as out of control at 406 ha in size.
Yesterday, fire activity was observed on the west and east side of LWF136. Crews continued to make good progress on establishing the fire guard and night-vision enabled helicopters were able to bucket overnight. Today, crews and heavy equipment will continue to establish the fire guard towards the south.
Over 70 firefighters and support staff, two groups of heavy equipment along with night-vision capable helicopters are working on this complex. An incident management team is overseeing operations.
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, HWF136, HWF141 and HWF143 are part of the Semo Complex. All of these wildfires are out of control.
HWF061 is the largest wildfire in the complex and is 96,274 ha in size.
It is located 8 km northeast of Jon D'or Prairie, 4.2 km north of Fox Lake, 13 km northwest of Garden River and 2.2 km from Highway 58. It was caused by lightning.
Heavy smoke over the weekend shaded wildfires from the sun, resulting in a decrease in fire activity and allowing good progress to be made. Structural protection was successfully tested in Garden River yesterday and crews have since moved to John D'or Prairie. Today, heavy equipment and firefighters will work on expanding containment lines.
There are over 400 firefighters and support staff, 14 helicopters and 51 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex. An incident management team is overseeing operations.
Garden River, John D'or Prairie and Fox Lake are all under an evacuation order. Visit Alberta Emergency Alert for more information.
See the High Level Forest Area update for more information.
MCX003 - Algar Lake Complex
Wildfires MWF069 and MWF086 make up the Algar Lake Complex. Both of these wildfires are out of control.
MWF069 is 16,555 ha in size. This wildfire is located 10 km west of Highway 63 and 40 km southwest of Fort McMurray.
MWF086 is 1,682 ha in size. This wildfire is located approximately 8km north of the MWF069 perimeter.
Both wildfires in this complex experienced lower fire behaviour over the past few days due to smoky conditions. However, increased fire behaviour is expected in the upcoming days as the smoke dissipates. Heavy equipment is working on containment lines with the support of crews and helicopter bucketing.
There are over 100firefighters and support staff working on this complex, along with seven helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment. An incident management team is overseeing operations.
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