Emergency Operations Centre Update – May 23, 2023 – 8:00 pm

Current wildfire status update from Greenview Emergency Operations Centre

May 23, 2023 – 8:00 pm

Please note that the information in the following update is official information as provided by Alberta Forestry. Greenview strives to provide a timely high-level summary of active wildfires within Greenview and will post updates to evacuation orders and alerts as available and provided by Alberta Forestry and the Province of Alberta, which are incredibly busy managing the current wildfire situation in the province.

Additional map resources
Fire Information for Resource Management US/CANADA

Alberta residents who are looking to provide equipment or for anyone who is trained and qualified in firefighting looking to volunteer to help in the wildfire efforts is invited to send an email outlining their desire to assist to EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca 

STURGEON COMPLEX (GWF017 & GWF023)
May 23, 2023 – 6:30 PM

The Sturgeon Lake Complex comprises two fires. GWF017 is estimated to be 5752 hectares in size and GWF023 is estimated to be 3869 hectares in size. Both fires are considered “Being Held.” The status change means the fires are 100% contained.

The definition of “Being Held” is as such: sufficient resources are currently committed, and sufficient action has been taken, that the fire is not likely to spread beyond existent or predetermined boundaries under prevailing and forecasted weather and fire behaviour conditions.

As of this morning, the rain gauge on GWF023 recorded 78 millimetres of precipitation, and a second gauge on GWF017 showed 52 millimetres total since Sunday night. Today some crews patrolled the fire to observe conditions. The rain has subdued all visible fire behaviour. It is important to note that fires of these sizes and duration, will not be extinguished by rain alone. Due to the hundreds of hot spots in the ground, when warm and dry weather returns, fire behaviour may become visible again. This is why firefighters on the ground will be needed in the coming weeks to ensure that all the sources of heat, particularly near structures, have been eliminated.

Crews also patrolled to assess the fire ground. The rain has made the terrain dangerous for firefighters. The blackened ground is slippery, and the dozer guards are almost impracticable for our trucks and machinery. Moreover, the strong winds, associated with the rain, have made the already fragile trees even more dangerous.

137 firefighting personnel and 97 management and support staff were on site today. Eight helicopters and 27 pieces of heavy machinery were allotted to the two fires. Crews were once again unable to use the helicopters; weather conditions made their use impossible

Evacuation Alert/Order
An evacuation order was reduced on May 23, 2023 for Greenview Residents. The evacuation order remains in effect for everyone South of TWP RD 720, West of RR 223, North of TWP RD 712, West of RR 231, South of TWP RD 705A, and West of RR 230 (up to the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation East Boarder).

BALD MOUNTAIN FIRE (GWF019)
May 23, 2023 – 6:30 PM

Wildfire Status Change – Being Held (Given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries)

This fire is classified as being held (BH) and is estimated to be 19,435 hectares in size. At this stage, the wildfire is not likely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries under prevailing conditions. Crews will finish establishing control lines, conduct fuel management activities and mop-up (extinguishing a fire after it has been brought under control).
The fire is approximately 17 kilometres west of Highway 40. The fire has crossed the Bald Mountain Road to the east and is in proximity to the intersection of Odum Ridge Road and Bald Mountain Road to the south.

Thirty-eight firefighters along with five helicopters and five pieces of heavy equipment were assigned to the fire today. However, the rain and smoke did not allow the safe use of helicopters on the fire.

Evacuation Alert/Order
Updated May 23, 2023 – The Evacuation Order for the area south of Township Road 690, between Highway 40 and the BC Border has been lifted. Everyone in this area can return home, but must remain prepared to evacuate on short notice.

EAGLE COMPLEX – Fox Creek / Little Smoky (WWF023, WWF028, GWF027)
May 23, 2023 – 11:00 AM

WWF-023 detected on May 5, is burning out of control at 72,830 ha. Firefighters saw no further growth towards Fox Creek today.

Crews continued working in from the perimeter along the fire guard along the Iosegun Lake road. Along the excursion south of Highway 43 firefighters built more hose line along the wildfire and heavy equipment groups are establishing more fire breaks along that same line.

There are more than 160 firefighters and support personnel allocated to this fire along with a structural protection unit and the Fox Creek Fire Department. Partners assisting Alberta on the complex include firefighters from Colorado, New Brunswick and soldiers from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment.

Weather conditions kept helicopters on the ground today. There are currently 17 helicopters assigned to the Eagle complex including 2 heavy helicopters dedicated to bucketing operations.

Additionally, three structural groups from municipalities in the Alberta Wildland Urban Interface Fire Structure Protection Program have been working together on structural protection for the community.

Weather Today, Last night 50-65 mm of rainfall occurred across the Eagle complex. This moisture will significantly reduce fire behaviour over the complex today.

GWF-027 was detected on May 13 and is out of control at 54,274 ha. Two dozer groups and crews worked the southern edge of the wildfire today

Evacuation Alerts/Orders

An Evacuation Order was updated on May 19, 2023 at 4:30 pm to include Townships 65-25-5, 64-25-5, 63-25-5, 62-25-5, 65-24-5, 64-24-5, 63-24-5, 62-24-5, 65-23-5, 64-23-5, 63-23-5, 62-23-5, 65-22-5, 64-22-5, 63-22-5, 62-22-5, 65-21-5, 64-21-5, 63-21-5, 62-21-5 along with the entire Town of Fox Creek extending down to Highway 947, the Hamlet of Little Smoky and surrounding areas.

An Evacuation Alert remains in place in an area North of the Hamlet of Little Smoky to be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

 

GRIZZLY COMPLEX (Big Lakes County) – SWF057, SWF063, SWF064
May 23, 2023 – 3:00 PM

Cool temperatures and rain has reduced the fire behavior on all these wildfires.

SWF-057 is 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 16,728 hectares. Firefighters continue to extinguish hotspots along Highway 33 and the perimeter of the wildfire.

SWF-063 is located approximately seven kilometers south of High Prairie, and sixteen kilometers northwest of Swan Hills, is classified as burning out of control and has burned an estimated 123,670 hectares. In the northwestern portion of the wildfire, firefighters continue to extinguish hotspots in the Banana Belt and East Prairie Metis Settlement areas. Heavy equipment continues to build fire guards around the edge of wildfire excursions. East Prairie Metis Settlement and Town of Swan Hills are under an evacuation order. Visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx

SWF-064 is located over 40 kilometers northwest of Swan Hills, is classified as out of control and has burned approximately 40,060 hectares. There was insufficient visibility to do an aerial assessment of this fire yesterday, but no significant growth was expected. This wildfire has connected to SWF-063 to the north.. One heavy equipment group is working on this wildfire.

There are 13 helicopters (including 2 heavy machines), five groups of heavy equipment and 77 firefighters working on the Grizzly Complex.

 

WILD HAY WILDFIRE COMPLEX (South East of Grande Cache EWF037 and EWF040)
May 22, 2023 – 9:00 PM

Wildfire Status Change – Being Held (Given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries)

There are multiple wildfires located south of the Little Smoky River, north of the Wild Hay River and east of Hwy 40 north. These also include the areas near the Willow Haul Road and the Jack Wright Road north of Hinton. These wildfires were formerly reported as five separate fires, but due to more accurate GPS measuring, have been determined to be two larger fires.

EWF037 is being held at 578 ha and EWF040 is now being held at 684 ha.

There was no perimeter growth on the complex again today. The containment lines around the fires have withheld. Smoke and flame may still be observed within the interior of both EWF-037 and EWF-040.

This complex is now being patrolled and monitored.