The wildfire danger is very high in the High Level Forest Area. With the return of hot and windy conditions new wildfire starts have the potential to spread quickly. Please do your part and respect the Fire Ban and OHV Restriction. Help firefighters respond to new wildfire starts. To report a wildfire please call 310-FIRE(3473).
FIRE BAN AND OHV RESTRICTION IN EFFECT
A fire ban and OHV restriction is in effect within the High Level Forest Area due to extreme fire danger. The fire ban and OHV restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Under this fire ban:
•All existing Fire Permits are suspended (or cancelled)
•No new Fire Permits will be issued
Prohibited:
•All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
•Backyard firepits
•BBQ charcoal briquettes
•The use of fireworks and exploding targets
•The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands, including designated OHV trails
Allowed:
•Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
•Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
•Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
•All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards
•Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes.
•Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.
•Off-highway vehicle use is still permitted on private lands.
ACTIVE WILDFIRE AREA | SAFETY MESSAGE
Stay away from active wildfire areas | For your safety and to ensure firefighters can do their job safely, please stay away from active wildfire areas. Your cooperation is essential.
Danger trees | Be extra cautious near burnt areas and avoid forested areas that have been recently affected by wildfire. Hazards remain from deep ash pits, burning peat and falling trees or branches, especially if windy.
Reporting wildfires | Please do not report smoke or flame from within an active wildfire area. Firefighters are diverted from essential tasks to respond to fires reported by the public. You may see smoke or flame within the existing boundary of a wildfire, this is normal.
Smoke | Lingering smoke may still be visible in some areas and in affected communities. Smoke inversions can trap air near the ground causing dangerous driving conditions and poor air quality. Please use extra caution when driving in smoky conditions, and take necessary precautions if you have smoke-related health concerns.
Drones | The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. *Transport Canada
FIRE BEHAVIOUR ADVISORY IN EFFECT | JUNE 9, 2023
Over the past few weeks some fires on the landscape have received small amounts of rain and fire growth has been limited. This has given firefighters and aircraft a great advantage to make progress on establishing control lines and work safely.
Over the last few days the area has seen a return in above average temperatures and low relative humidity’s which has eroded the effects of recent precipitation. The return of hot and dry conditions are anticipated to challenge firefighters.
Please do your part and ensure you are respecting the Fire Ban and the OHV Restriction. Help firefighters respond to new wildfire starts. To report a wildfire please call 310-FIRE(3473).
Firefighters are prepositioned throughout the High Level Forest Area, ready to respond to new wildfire starts. June 9, 2023.
HIGH LEVEL FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | JUNE 9, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
There are seven wildfires in the High Level Forest Area. Of these fires, three are classified as out of control (OC), one is being held (BH) and three are under control (UC). Please see the updates below regarding the Paskwa fire and the Long Lake fire. To see a map of the wildfires in the High Level Forest Area and across the province please click here.
Wildfires of interest;
HWF058 |This fire is located approximately 80 km southwest of the Town of High Level and approximately 20 km northwest of the of Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement boundary marker, where the Haig River meets the Chinchaga River. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) at 3,596 hectares. There are 25 firefighters, and 3 helicopters dedicated to this fire. Additional resources have been requested.
Due to smoky conditions this morning, crews are unable to access the area safely on the ground however helicopters with water buckets are working to cool hotspots where safe to do so. Yesterday, the fire was very active with growth reported to the west and the northwest. There are no communities at risk at this time.
Today, the forecast is calling for a temperature of 31 degrees, a relative humidity of 20 percent and winds are southeast 15-20 km/h gusting 30 km/h. These conditions are expected to challenge firefighters and aircraft as there is a Fire Behaviour Advisory in effect.
THE LONG LAKE FIRE | HWF036 | JUNE 9, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
The Long Lake fire (HWF036) was detected on May 3, 2023. This fire is classified as Out of Control (OC) with a last recorded size of 155,325 hectares. The fire has seen milder conditions due to localized rain. This has allowed firefighters to work directly against the fire edge to build containment lines and put out hot spots.
Aircraft is working on hot areas along Baseline Road and north of Baseline Road. Putting out hot spots as they arise. Crews are patrolling and are using hand ignition to burn out unburnt areas to further contain the area.
Recent weather conditions have seen reduced fire activity along the power easement and gas plant area. Crews have been working with dozers along the fire edge from Winter Road to the power line easement.
The fire is active west of the Town of Rainbow Lake moving towards the British Columbia border. The Incident Management Team (IMT) at Rainbow Lake are in daily contact with the IMT at Fort Nelson. Crews are monitoring the fire by air and bucketing priority hot spots.
The northeast guard protecting the community of Chateh continues to hold with limited active fire along this edge. We continue to build containment lines with dozers along Silvertip Road to the gas plant. Cenovus have been working with the Incident Management Team to determine a safe return to work plan.
Please be aware that there is still active fire burning in the area. Residents are reminded not to enter the fire area due to large number of firefighters, and equipment working. Burnt trees continue to fall which are dangerous.
Incident Management Teams from Canada, America and Australia and a large number of helicopters are currently working at the Incident Command Post located at the Town of Rainbow Lake airport to support this fire.
There are currently 220 personnel supporting the Long Lake Fire. Including wildland and structural firefighters, Incident Management staff and heavy equipment operators. There are 10 helicopters and heavy equipment working this fire.
Weather Forecast | Long Lake Fire
Today’s forecast is as follow, a temperature of 30 degrees, a relative humidity of 20 percent, and winds are southeast 20 km/h.
THE PASKWA FIRE | HWF030 | JUNE 9, 2023 AS OF 12:00 PM
The Paskwa fire was detected on May 2, 2023. It extends along the south side of the Peace River from the community of Fox Lake into Wood Buffalo National Park and is approximately 8 km south of the community of Garden River. This wildfire is 94,172 hectares in size. This fire is classified as Out of Control (OC).
The top priorities for managing the Paskwa Fire are full extinguishment of fire in Fox Lake, protecting Garden River, and working toward securing the fire perimeter to prevent significant fire spread.
Wildfire activity did slightly pick-up yesterday due to the dry conditions and the hotspots in the area did begin to smoke more than before but bucket support from helicopters and ground crews were able to action these hot areas in Fox Lake. Yesterday, crews were working to extinguish hotspots and remove danger trees along Ribbonleg Road and will continue as they expand their work outwards to Prairie Road and other areas in Fox Lake.
Work continues along the entire north-northeast perimeter to remove remaining forest fuels and extinguish hot spots, keeping the fire south of the Peace River. Today, fire crews are working near 5th Meridian and will continue east, working along the oxbow to extinguish hot spots within the fire perimeter. Helicopters were also bucketing in the area. The fireguard is a priority to prevent fire spread north across the Peace River and to protect the community of Garden River.
Helicopters will continue bucketing along the southeast perimeter, and today ground crews will continue with fire suppression in this area if smoky conditions allow. Once this work is completed the crews will move upwards to the northeast flank of the wildfire.
Firefighters will work to extinguish hotspots from Little Red River moving to Muskeg Creek.
Work continues in Fox Lake to extinguish 75m (250 ft) perimeters around structures and the removal of danger trees. Heavy equipment is establishing guard lines around larger hotspot areas where there is still potential for fire spread to contain the fire while crews work to extinguish these hotspots.
The high-volume water system, water lines, and sprinkler systems on structures are in place in the community of Garden River and structural firefighters will be available as needed. These are proactive measures to ensure the community is prepared should the fires move closer to Garden River.
There are currently 98 personnel supporting the Paskwa Fire response consisting of wildland and structural firefighters, incident management staff, and Paskwa Fire Base support staff. There are also 10 helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment dedicated to the Paskwa fire.
Weather Forecast | Paskwa Fire
Today the forecast is as follows, a temperature of 31 degrees, a relative humidity of 20 percent, with winds southeast 15-20 km/h gusting 30 km/h.
Evacuation Information and Alerts
Little Red River Cree Nation has an evacuation order in place for the community of Fox Lake. The community of Garden River remains on an evacuation alert. For information regarding the evacuation, please stay informed by visiting the Little Red River Cree Nation’s Facebook page.
The community of Garden River is under an evacuation alert.
Wood Buffalo National Park Fire Update| Davidson Complex
The fires in the Davidson Lake area are approximately 32,909 hectares combined and located 26 km northeast of Garden River. Yesterday was not a big growth day and the same is expected for today. Fire 14 grew about 300 metres toward Trident Creek.
Four bulldozers and two excavators almost completed the first fire guard along the boundary of Wood Buffalo National Park yesterday. They will finish this guard today and add four more bulldozers to the operation. Personnel scouted the second dozer line yesterday and will begin that work in the coming days.
Fire specialists will keep monitoring Fire 14 today for ignition opportunities to tie the fire into Trident Creek to try and limit the fire’s spread. Yesterday, crews continued to assess cabins in the area and maintained sprinkler systems already in place.
Three fire personnel are based in the Garden River area, with one fire crew and a helicopter expected to be stationed out of the Paskwa base in next few days. Incident Management Team members are working on options to move more personnel to the Garden River area as work continues managing the Davidson Lake Fires.
This information has been provided by the Wood Buffalo National Park, Fire Information Officer. For more information regarding fires burning within the Wood Buffalo National Park, please click here.
Map showing the Paskwa fire (HWF030) inside the High Level Forest Area as well as the fires burning within the Wood Buffalo National Park (Davidson Complex). June 9, 2023.
WILDFIRE SMOKE ISSUES
Smoke from wildfires may hang low to the ground at night and into the early morning due to temperature inversions. A temperature inversion is when warm air “caps” cooler air, causing smoke to be trapped in valley bottoms at night and into the early morning. The trapped smoke generally begins to lift after the sun rises and heats the earth’s surface. Inversions can be very dangerous for road conditions and surrounding communities. Visibility can be limited.
If you see smoke that is causing safety concerns to road conditions, please report to Alberta 511. Individuals experiencing smoke related health issues can contact Alberta Health. To see a map showing the smoke forecast please click here.
VOULUNTEER INFORMATION
Volunteers, equipment owners/operators or firefighters looking to assist with these wildfires or any of the wildfires within the province can contact EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.
DO NOT FLY DRONES NEAR WILDFIRES!
The use of recreational drones over wildfires in Alberta is dangerous, illegal and could result in a fine of up to $15,000* for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give Alberta firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely.
*Transport Canada
ALBERTA STATE OF EMERGENCY
A provincial state of emergency has been declared. Albertans who require assistance can call 310-4455 for wildfire related information.
Preparing in advance can keep you safe and comfortable, and help you get back to your normal life and work more quickly. It also helps others because emergency responders can focus on helping those who need it the most.
Connect with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-9000
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to accurate, real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province and much more all on your mobile device. Available for Apple and Android.
Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination.
Volunteers, equipment owners/operators or firefighters looking to assist with these wildfires or any of the wildfires within the province can contact EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.
There are multiple EVACUATION ORDERS & ALERTS in the Province. Please visit Alberta Emergency Alerts or your community webpage for more information.