There are two wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
MCX002 - Cattail Lake Complex
There are several wildfires that are all being managed together under MCX002. This includes MWF046, MWF047, MWF048, MWF051, MWF054 and MWF055. All of these wildfires are classified as under control, except for MWF047. All of these wildfires were caused by lightning.
MWF047 is the largest wildfire that's included in this complex, is approximately 12,201 ha in size and is classified as out of control.
This wildfire is approximately 8 km northeast of industrial facilities, about 50 km northeast Fort McKay and 70 km northeast of Fort McMurray. Yesterday, there was no significant growth towards any infrastructure.
There was minimal fire behavior overnight thanks to night operations and cooler temperatures throughout the day and into the evening. Fighting wildfires at night is successful because fire behaviour is lower and good progress can be made.
There are 201 personnel currently working on this complex. There are 20 helicopters responding to this wildfire, with most of them completing bucketing operations and 36 heavy equipment groups working on day and night operations.
Crews will continue to work on reinforcing the south and west corners of this wildfire. As part of the daily operations, we will also continue to work on dozer guards and bucketing operations.
Today, we expect a high of 27C. We anticipate winds coming out of the southwest - west at 15 km/h, with isolated gusts up to 30 km/h in the afternoon.
HCX001 - Semo Wildfire Complex
There are several wildfires that make up the Semo Wildfire Complex. This includes HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083.
The Semo Wildfire Complex is located north of John D'Or Prairie, Garden River and Fox Lake. It includes the Caribou Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, between the Ponton and the Wentzel River. These wildfires are currently being managed by an incident management team. Additional resources have been requested and will be arriving in the coming days.
HWF061 is the largest of the wildfires. It currently burning OUT OF CONTROL 38 km northeast of Jon D'or, 29 km north of Fox Lake and 35 km northwest of Garden River. At this time the fire does not pose a threat to any community. The wildfire is now estimated to be 12,017 ha in size and caused by lightning.
Today, heavy equipment operators will travel towards the southwest side of the fire to gain better access. Helicopters will continue to bucket along the north side of the fire as they work to secure the west side and down towards the south. Firefighters will begin responding to the fire when safe zones are completed and are ready to access and airtankers will be used to help with containment lines.
There are 87 firefighters and support staff, eight helicopters and 18 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the Semo Complex. Additional resources are on the way to support firefighting activities.
Today, the weather forecast is calling for temperatures of 25C with winds out of the southwest at 15 km/h gusting to 30 km/h in the afternoon. Smoke from wildfires in British Columbia will cover parts of the complex in the early afternoon and could help to reduce fire behaviour.
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.