Wildfires of note

July 28, 2024

Posted on Sun, Jul 28, 2024

There are five wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

Jasper Wildfire Complex

Wildfires ANP002 and ANP003 are classified as out of control and Parks Canada is reporting the size to be 32,000 ha. The north and south fires both spread towards the Jasper townsite and have merged together.

Slightly warmer and drier conditions today. West to southwest winds are expected with a minimal chance of rain. Crews will continue to secure perimeters and work on areas near structures and infrastructure.

Alberta Wildfire is assisting Parks Canada with the Jasper Wildfire Complex by providing firefighters, heavy equipment and a helicopter. For the most up-to-date information on this Complex, visit Parks Canada's website.

The Municipality of Jasper has issued an evacuation order for Jasper National Park. Visit Alberta Emergency Alert for more information.


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. They were caused by lightning.

MWF047 is the largest wildfire in this complex and is 106,726 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 17,814 hectares in size. This wildfire is located approximately 6.7 km south of industrial facilities, 38 km east of Fort McKay and 46 km northeast of Fort McMurray.

MWF079 is located near the Saskatchewan border and is 379 ha in size.

Firefighters and aircraft were unable to work on this fire yesterday due to localised low cloud coverage making flying unsafe. Today crews and aircraft will continue work hard to strengthen containment lines focusing on the southwest and northwest edge.

There are over 126 firefighters and support staff, 14 helicopters and seven 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 18 wildfires: LWF101 LWF123, LWF124, LWF126, LWF136, LWF139, LWF140, LWF141, LWF142, LWF143, LWF152, LWF155, LWF156, LWF159, LWF162, LWF164, LWF168 and LWF175.

LWF164 is classified as out of control at 1,400 ha in size. It is located approximately 12km northeast of Conklin along highway 881. Heavy equipment will continue to work to establish a dozer guard along the west fire perimeter. Operations staff will continue to establish hose lines along the guard north of the highway.

LWF141 is classified as under control at 36 ha in size. It is located approximately 3 km north of Chard. Good progress was made on this fire yesterday. A fire guard has now been completed on the southern perimeter of this fire and has been classified as under control.

LWF152 is classified as out of control at 474 ha in size. It is located approximately 22 km northeast of Conklin and 10 km southeast of Highway 881. This wildfire is being monitored for growth and fire activity.

There are over 137 firefighters and support staff, 7 helicopters and 23 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to this complex.

Alberta Transportation may may temporarily close Highway 811 due to smoke drift. Visit 511 Alberta for the most up-to date information on road closures.

See the Lac La Biche Forest Area update for more information.


HCX001 - Semo Complex 

Wildfires HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083, HWF136 and HWF141 are part of the Semo Complex. All of these wildfires are out of control.

HWF061 is the largest wildfire in the complex and is 96,181 ha in size. It is located 8 km northeast of Jon D'or Prairie, 12 km north of Fox Lake and 2.2 km from Highway 58. It was caused by lightning.

HWF136 is 5,469 ha in size. It is located north of highway 58 and approximately 13 km northwest of Garden River.

HWF053 is 709 ha in size and is located directly above HWF061.

Last nights precipitation, mud and very wet conditions prevented firefighters form entering the fireline, crews may return when temperatures increase in the coming days.

Heavy equipment operators are hard at work today and will keep working towards completing access routes north of Highway 58, assisting with accessibility directly to the southern perimeter of HWF061.

There are over 409 firefighters and support staff, 18 helicopters and 73 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 and LWF165 make up the Algar Lake Complex. Yesterday all of these wildfires were classified as being held.

This wildfire will not show up on this list tomorrow. For additional information on it please view the wildfire status dashboard. 

There are no immediate concerns for travel disruptions to the highway. Visit 511 Alberta for the most up-to date information on road closures.

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. 

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