There is one wildfire of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
Fire number: MWF031
Status: Being held
Size: 24,930 hectares (ha)
Location: 21 km north of Fort Chipewyan
Infrastructure nearby: Remote cabins
Resources assigned: Incident Management Team, ignition specialist, structure protection specialist and crews, 50 firefighters, and six helicopters.
Comments:
This wildfire remains on the edge of Flett Lake with an estimated size of the wildfire is 24,930 ha. The cause of the wildfire was lightening. It does not threaten any communities at this time. The fire has not grown towards the south and therefore has not gotten closer to Fort Chipewyan or the airport.
There was minimal fire activity observed on wildfire MWF031 yesterday. Firefighters, assisted by helicopter bucketing operations, continued to work on strengthening the containment line to the south of the fire. A containment line between Flett Lake and the Des Rochers river has been established.
Another group of firefighters continued to work on structure protection. They were busy maintaining equipment such as pumps, hoses and sprinkler systems on buildings identified as being directly threatened by the wildfire. The protection plan for Fort Chipewyan, the airport and the airport road is complete. The protection plan for Dog Head is also complete.
Rain and thunder is expected today, with slightly cooler temperatures (24C) than yesterday. Humidity will be around 35 per cent, which is expected to keep fire behaviour low, despite a 15 km/h wind shift that could push the fire northeast. The wind is expected to increase to 20 km/h in the afternoon, with wind gusts up to 35 km/h. Weak inversions may continue to develop overnight, which could bring smoke into the community, but they are expected to break by 11 a.m., allowing the smoke to dissipate.
Today, firefighters and helicopters will continue their indirect attack on the wildfire. A total of 50 firefighters and six helicopters are assigned to wildfire MWF031 and stationed in Fort Chipewyan. Additional aircraft are available if needed in Fort McMurray.
This information will be updated, as required, by 11 a.m.
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