Wildfire burning. File photo

By Erika Rolling

WIldfires

Northwestern Alberta fire update

Jul 17, 2024 | 12:00 PM

Wildfire danger ratings across the northwestern portion of the province remain very high to extreme with another heat wave covering the landscape.

The entire forest protection area of Alberta is under a fire ban. This means if you are found in violation of this ban, you can be fined up to $5,000 and held liable for firefighting costs associated with unintended wildfire.

Prohibited things during this time are:

• All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land, designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits.
• Barbeque charcoal briquettes.
• Fireworks and exploding targets.

Grande Prairie Forest Area

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Crossover conditions are expected in the Grande Prairie Forest Area with expected daytime highs reaching well over 30 degrees Celsius heading into next week. These conditions have lower relative humidity when compared to temperature, which can create extreme wildfire behaviour.

There are currently no wildfires burning in the GPFA and the danger rating is Very High.

Peace River Forest Area

There are nine wildfires burning in the Peace River Forest Area as of July 17, 2024, but only two of note.

A 400 hectare wildfire burning approximately 10 kilometres southwest of Keg River is classified as out of control. The fire was started due to lightning.

There are airtankers, firefighters, helicopters, and heavy equipment working on this blaze to contain and control through fire suppresion efforts.

There is also a 21 hectare fire approximately 70km west of the Town of Manning that is being held. The fire was also started due to lightning and firefighters, air supports and ground equipment is continuing their efforts to extinguish the flames.

High Level Forest Area

The wildfire danger is rated as Extreme in the High Level Forest Area with 37 wildfires burning within it’s boundaries.

Of the 37 wildfires:

• 8 out of control
• 14 are under control
• 15 being held

Two of these fires are carry-overs from last year and two are shared along borders; one with B.C. and one with the Northwest Territories.

Garden River remains under an evacuation order due to an encroaching wildfire near the only highway in and out of the community.

The Semo Wildfire Complex, made up of five different fires, is located around John D’Or Prairie, Garden River, and Fox Lake. These fires are all classified as out of control and have burned approximately 119,782 hectares.

There is 233 firefighters working on this complex, along with 10 helicopters and 48 pieces of heavy equipment. Additional resources have been requested for assistance in battling these blazes and will arrive in the coming days.

Semo Lake Wildfire Complex on July 16, 2024. Photo courtesy Alberta Wildfire.

Six fires are also making the Amber River Complex near Bistcho Lake. These fires have burned a combined 104,546 hectares. The largest fire is a mutual aid wildfire, as it originated in N.W.T.

There are 122 firefighters with 12 helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex. The Amber Lake Complex is not threatening any communities at this time.

Intense fire behaviour is expected today and Thursday due to hot and dry conditions.