Wildfires of note

July 29, 2024

Written by Alberta Wildfire | Jul 29, 2024 8:20:32 PM

There are four 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.

No significant growth has been reported on this wildfire as of this morning. Today, crews will continue to extinguish hotspots where feasible. Dozer protection lines have now been added between Tram Line Road and Highway 16 and ignition fire specialists will consider options to safely and strategically reduce remaining fuels in the area. Additional firefighting resources have arrived to help support ongoing fire suppression efforts.

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.

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 105,868 ha in size. This wildfire is approximately 6 km northeast of industrial facilities, 53 km northeast Fort McKay and 68 km northeast of Fort McMurray.

MWF077 is 17,735 hectares in size. This wildfire is located approximately 6.5 km south of industrial facilities, 46 km east of Fort McKay and 38 km northeast of Fort McMurray.

MWF079 is located near the Saskatchewan border and is 345 ha in size.

Yesterday, crews and aircraft made significant progress in strengthening containment lines on the western edges of MWF47 and MWF77. This work will continue today.

There are over 110 firefighters and support staff and 14 helicopters 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.

Widlfires LWF101, LWF140 and LWF142 have now been extinguished. Wildfire LWF136 is now classified as being held. Wildfires LWF139, LWF143, LWF155 and LWF 162 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. With operations on the west side of Highway 881 complete, firefighters are now establishing hoseline along the northeast. Heavy equipment will continue to establish a dozer guard along the west side of Highway 881 and along the northeast corner and southeast perimeter.

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 prepare to place firefighting crews on the southwestern and northeastern parts of the fire in the coming days.

LWF159 is classified as out of control at 4,294 ha in size. It is located in Dillon River Wildland Provincial Park about 12 km east of Winefred Lake No. 194B.

LWF175 is classified as out of control at 125 ha in size. It is located in Dillon River Wildland Provincial Park, approximately 12 km east of Winefred Lake. Crews are monitoring this fire for growth and activity.

There are over 130 firefighters and support staff, 7 helicopters and 23 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to this complex. More firefighters are expected later this week. 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 96,578 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 5,470 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.

Other fires in this complex are within or nearby Carbou 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 over 420 firefighters and support staff, 17 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. 

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