Courtesy of Big Lakes County:
Wildfire Update May 18 @ 3:45
Grizzly Complex – SWF057, SWF063, SWF064
In total there are 88 firefighters,14 helicopters and six heavy equipment groups working on the Grizzly complex wildfires.
SWF-057 located approximately 26 kilometres south of Kinuso and over 30 kilometers southwest of the Town of Slave Lake, is classified as out of control and has burned an estimated 8,711 hectares. Firefighters with nodwells and helicopters continue to work along highway 33 to extinguish hotspots. Heavy equipment has built fire guard around the small excursion from yesterday and firefighters conducted hand ignition on the southwest portion of the wildfire to reduce fire fuels. Today firefighters will continue to establish hose line on the western flank of the fire, controlling perimeter and working on any flare ups with bucket support. Firefighters will also be assessing ignition area and addressing remaining pockets of fuel in those areas, as well as assessing any values south of the area that may require protection. There are 29 firefighters and two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.
At this time, the visibility on the highway 33 is being affected. For the latest road conditions visit https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts
SWF-063 located approximately seven kilometers south of High Prairie and approximately 16 kilometres northwest of Swan Hills is classified as burning out of control and has burned an estimated 92,742 hectares. Firefighters continue to work in the northern end of the wildfire extinguishing hotspots and flareups. Heavy equipment continues to build fire guard around the fire excursion in the East Prairie Metis Settlement and helicopters and firefighters continue to work on any flare ups and hotspots in the Banana Belt area and East Prairie Metis Settlement. On the southern end of the wildfire, heavy equipment continues to build fire guard around the excursion that occurred south of Moosehorn River and will begin to construct a new guard at the southeast end of this wildfire.There are 50 firefighters and two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.
SWF-064 located over 40 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills is classified as out of control and has burned approximately 28,427 hectares. No significant growth was observed on the wildfire today however interior areas were smoking.The fire guard on the northeast and northwest side of the wildfire is holding. There are two heavy equipment groups working on this wildfire.
Nipisi Complex-SWF059, SWF060
SW060 located 2.3 kilometres east of the border of the Whitefish Lake First Nation is classified as burning out of control and has burned approximately 35,000 hectares. SWF059 and SWF060 have joined at the north end. The southwest end of the wildfire closest to the Whitefish Lake First Nation Community border continued to hold and a sprinkler lines has been set up along the community FireSmart fire guard located north of the community. Firefighters with helicopters are working on the north end by highway 88. There are 66 firefighters, four heavy equipment groups and 14 helicopters working on these wildfires.
SWF068 located approximately six kilometres northwest of Peavine Metis Settlement. Firefighters, helicopters and airtankers made good progress on securing the wildfire perimeter closest to Peavine Metis Settlement. Firefighting operations are being conducted by the Peace River Forest Area.
Volunteer Information
Volunteers, equipment owners/operators or firefighters looking to assist with these wildfires or any of the wildfires within the province, please contact EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.
Fire Ban and OHV Restriction
A fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area due to extreme fire danger.
