Rainfall brings down fire danger ratings, but wildfires still burning out of control

The Slave Lake and High Level Forest Areas are still rated at extreme.

Sturgeon Lake Complex

Comprised of two fires, the Sturgeon Lake Complex is estimated at a combined 9,621 hectares. As of Monday afternoon, both were listed as being held.

The status change means the fires are now 100 per cent contained and are not likely to spread any further outside the predetermined boundaries.

The fires are still not extinguished and hundreds of hot spots within the perimeter are still burning. The precipitation over the past 36 hours has helped with no visible fire activity, but thermal scans are still showing hot spots.

On Monday, there were 133 firefighters, 103 management and support staff, eight helicopters, and 27 pieces of heavy equipment allotted to the complex. Helicopters were not able to be used due to the heavy rain and smoke in the area.

Bald Mountain Fire

Estimated to be 19,435 hectares in size, the Bald Mountain Fire is now listed as being held.

Now approximately 17 km west of Highway 40, the fire crossed the Bald Mountain Road to the east and is close to the intersection of Odum Ridge Road and Bald Mountain Road to the south.

Forty-six firefighters, six helicopters, and 12 pieces of heavy equipment were assigned to the fire on Monday, however, the rain and smoke did not allow the use of helicopters on the fire as it was deemed unsafe.

The fire is now considered contained on the southern flank near Two Pinto Road, on the western flank near Bald Mountain Road and on the Northern flank near Nose Mountain Road.

Crews continued to work to contain the fire within its perimeter 50 feet in from the fire line as well as monitored spot fires outside the fire’s edge.

Eagle Complex (Fox Creek)

Two fires surrounding Fox Creek, and between Little Smoky, on both sides of Highway 43, are still burning out of control.

The fires are not combined, but altogether they have burned a total of 124,104 hectares of land.

On Monday, crews worked on the perimeter along the fire guard along Iosegun Lake Road and built more hose line south of Highway 43, as well as fire breaks along the same line by heavy equipment.

More than 160 firefighters and support staff have been allocated to the fire surrounding Fox Creek. Firefighters from Colorado, New Brunswick, and soldiers from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment are working on the complex.

There are 17 helicopters assigned to the Eagle Complex and two heavy helicopters dedicated to bucketing operations. Two dozer groups and crews worked on the southern edge of the fire west of Highway 43 on Monday.

Between five and 27 millimeters of rain fell on the two wildfires yesterday, as amounts varied in the area.

Grizzly Complex (Swan Hills/High Prairie)

Smoke has limited the ability for aircraft to be used to fire the Grizzly Complex over the past few days.

The three fires south of Lesser Slave Lake, between High Prairie and Slave Lake, are all listed as out of control and altogether are estimated to have burned 177,458 hectares.

The one fire near Swan River remains to the east and firefighters will continue to assess excursions and extinguish hotspots, working with heavy equipment and helicopter bucket support. There are 21 firefighters and one heavy equipment group working on this particular fire.

The other two fires have connected and fire activity has increased on the southeast corner of the fire. Fifty-six firefighters and four heavy equipment groups are working on this wildfire.

East Prairie Metis Settlement and the Town of Swan Hills are still under an evacuation order due to these fires.

Kimiwan Complex Wildfire (Peavine Metis Settlement/Harmon Valley)

One fire approximately six kilometres northwest of the Peavine Metis Settlement is still burning out of control at an estimated 108,889 hectares.

There are 58 firefighters and 16 dozers currently assigned to the fire with pending orders for additional dozers, unit crews, and firetac crews on order.

Air resources have been limited due to visibility and weather conditions. Wildland firefighters have been taking advantage of the precipitation and reduced fire behaviour by attacking the fire along the edge and maximizing suppression efforts.

Heavy equipment groups are building a fire guard around the fire on the west side – north of the Town of McLennan on the southern end of the fire, and north of Peavine Metis Settlement, and are working alongside municipal fire services adjacent to the fire to provide structure defense.

Canadian Armed Forces personnel are working alongside firefighters to extinguish hot spots around the Peavine Metis Settlement.

by Erika Rolling