Wildfires of note

August 1

Posted on Fri, Aug 02, 2024

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

Jasper Wildfire Complex

Wildfire ANP002 (formally ANP002 and ANP003) is 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.

No significant growth has been reported on this wildfire as of this morning. Ignition specialists are assessing options to remove fuel from between dozer guards and the edge of the wildfire. Crews will continue to extinguish hotspots where feasible. As temperatures rise and relative humidity drops over the coming days, Parks Canada is anticipating some growth and increased fire behaviour beginning later this week. This may result in increased smoke in the area.

Dozer protection lines have now been added between Pyramid Lake and Highway 16. Additional firefighting resources have arrived to help support ongoing fire suppression efforts.

Structural protection continues in at risk areas and around town and the park. 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.

Highway 16 remains closed. Visit 511 Alberta for more information on highway closures.


 

LCX001 - Kettle River Complex

The Kettle River Complex includes 14 wildfires: LWF123, LWF126, LWF136, LWF139, LWF141,  LWF143, LWF152, LWF155, LWF156, LWF159, LWF162, LWF164, LWF168 and LWF175.

Wildfires LWF139, LWF143, LWF155 and LWF162 have now been EXTINGUISHED.

Wildfires LWF126 and LWF136 are now classified as BEING HELD.

Wildfires LWF141, and LWF 168 are now classified as UNDER CONTROL.

LWF164 is classified as OUT OF CONTROL at 1,400 ha in size. It is located approximately 12km northeast of Conklin south of highway 881. The dozer line is complete and crews have established containment lines around roughly 60% of the wildfire as of July 31st. Firefighters will look for hotspots along the northeast corner and eastern perimeter of the wildfire.

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. Staff will assess hotspot areas for bucket-equipped helicopters and place firefighting crews on the southwestern and northeastern parts of the fire in the coming days.

There are over 275 firefighters and support staff, 7 helicopters and 31 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to this complex. An incident management team is overseeing operations.

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 97,506 ha in size. It is located 19 km northeast of Jon D'or Prairie, 15 km north of Fox Lake and 1.9 km north of Highway 58. It was caused by lightning.

HWF136 is 6,188 ha in size. It is located north of highway 58 and approximately 13 km northwest of Garden River.

Other fires in this complex are within or nearby Caribou Mountain Wildland Provincial Park. These fires will be monitored for growth and activity.

Precipitation has allowed firefighters to make good progress on wildfires in this complex. Yesterday, helicopters supported ground resources by bucketing water on key areas of the fires. Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment specialists were able to work together to efficiently establish line and extinguish hotspots on HWF061 and HWF136.

There are 463 firefighters and support staff, 18 helicopters and 70 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. 


Kiska Complex:

The Kiska Complex, which includes wildfire RWF064, was designated a wildfire of note on August 1st after smoke from wildfires in the area resulted in the closure of a portion of the Forestry Trunk Road.

RWF064 is located approximately 5 km west of the Forestry Trunk Road (highway 734), 19 km northwest of the Ram Falls Provincial Park boundary and 30 km south of Nordegg and is roughly 1,400 ha in size.

RWF063is classified as BEING HELD and is located approximately 2 km east of the Jasper National Park boundary, 17 km west of fire RWF062 and 50 km west of Nordegg. This fire is estimated to be 1,962 ha in size. Very little activity was observed on this wildfire yesterday.

RWF062is classified as BEING HELD and is located approximately 5 km west of the Wapiabi Provincial Recreation Area (PRA), 13 km northwest of Cresent Falls PRA and 30 km west of Nordegg. This fire is approximately 1,550 ha in size. While there was some activity on this wildfire it has not grown significantly since yesterday.

There are currently 57 firefighters and support staff, two helicopters and 19 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the Kiska complex to support suppression efforts.

Notice of road closure:The Forestry Trunk Road (Highway 40) is closed between Highway 11 and Highway 752 due to the proximity of RWF064 and heavy smoke causing dangerous driving conditions.

For the latest road conditions, please check Alberta 511.

Wapiabi Provincial Recreation Area remains closed. Visit the Alberta Parks websitefor more information. In addition, a forest closure remains in effect for the Wapiabi and Blackstone areas.

See the Rocky Mountain House 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