2023 Alberta wildfires

The 2023 Alberta wildfires are a series of ongoing wildfires in the province of Alberta, Canada that have burned over 519,000 hectares (1,282,477 acres).[2] As of May 9, 2023, there are 88 active wildfires throughout the province.[3] Multiple communities have been placed under evacuation orders, resulting in over 29,000 people being evacuated.[4] On May 6, the province of Alberta declared a provincial state of emergency.[5][6]

2023 Alberta wildfires
Wildfires in northern Alberta on May 5, 2023.
LocationAlberta, Canada
Statistics
Total fires426 (82 currently active)[1]
Date(s)March 1, 2023–present
Burned area519,804 hectares (1,284,464 acres) in total[2]
CauseLightning, human[1]

Wildfires

There are currently 13 wildfires of note in Alberta. These wildfires are in the Edson, Grande Prairie, High Level, Rocky Mountain House, Slave Lake and Whitecourt districts.[7]

Edson Forest Area

In Edson District, the wildfire named EWF-031 is roughly 14 km (8.7 mi) southeast of Edson, is out of control, and has grown enough to cause evacuations for residents in Yellowhead County. The fire continues to threaten Edson and other nearby communities.[8] Alberta Wildfire is responding with two groups of dozers, four helicopters and airtanker support. Currently, the active fire area is 77,920 hectares (192,545 acres).[7]

Another wildfire in Edson is WCU-001, which spans an area of 8,586 hectares (21,216 acres) and is burning out of control. The wildfire continues to spread parallel to Highway 16 as it moves further west. Alberta Wildfire and Parkland County are working together on this wildfire. They have deployed 59 firefighters and 14 heavy equipment to this wildfire.[8]

WCU-002, now named the Deep Creek Wildfire, is classified out of control with an active area of 2,400 hectares (5,931 acres). Yellowhead County and Alberta Wildfire are continuing to cooperate together on the wildfire.[8]

Other wildfires out of control in the Edson area include EWF-035, EWF-037, EWF-049, EWF-040 and EWF-041. These wildfires are being fought by airtankers to prevent further growth.[8]

Official name Date Location Current status Area burned
EWF-031 May 4 - present 14 km (8.7 mi) SE of Edson Out of control 82,666 hectares (204,272 acres)
WCU-001 April 29 - present 6 km (3.7 mi) N of Wildwood Out of control 9,898 hectares (24,458 acres)
WCU-002 April 29 - present 7 km (4.3 mi) SW of Gainford Out of control 2,400 hectares (5,931 acres)

Grande Prairie Forest Area

Fire GWF-017, 6 kilometres (4 mi) west of Valleyview is currently considered out of control and has a burning area of 1,720 hectares (4,250 acres). Road closures are in effect for the area. The municipal structural protection in the area is helping with the fires.[9][7]

GWF-019 is also out of control 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of Grande Prairie with a burning area of 10,000 hectares (24,711 acres).[9]

Other wildfires out of control include GWF-020, GWF-022, GWF-023, and GCU-00, which are mutually being fought by the County of Grande Prairie No. 1, and GMD-001, which is being fought by the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16.[9]

Official name Date Location Current status Area burned
GWF-017 May 5 - present 6 km (4 mi) W of Valleyview Out of control 3,765 hectares (9,304 acres)
GWF-019 April 29 - present 50 km (31 mi) S of Grande Prairie Out of control 10,000 hectares (24,711 acres)

High Level Forest Area

Two fires that are out of control are currently active in the High Level Forest Area.[10]

HWF-036, named the Long Lake Fire, is a rapidly growing fire classified as out of control. It is the largest fire in the province during the 2023 wildfire season, currently having an active burning area of 108,402 hectares (267,867 acres).[10] It was started just south of the Rainbow Lake Airport and initially grew to the northwest. However, due to multiple wind shifts over the following week, the fire began to spread in an eastward direction. On May 13, the fire made a 25 kilometer run towards the community of Chateh. This also resulted in Rainbow Lake being surrounded in all directions by the wildfire, as well as power and cell service being cut off. Alberta Wildfire, the Rainbow Lake Fire Department and other fire crews from Alaska and Ontario are working together to prevent the growth of the fire.[11] They have deployed 83 firefighters, four helicopters and other heavy equipment.[12]

HWF-030, named the Paskwa Fire, is another out of control fire spreading eastward due to extreme conditions. It is currently at an active burning area of 35,285 hectares (87,191 acres). It is located within the community of Fox Lake, and is located 13 kilometres from the community of Garden River. The fire remains south of the Peace River. The extreme weather conditions are making it hard for firefighters and aircraft to assist the fire. 76 firefighters and 13 helicopters have been deployed as well as heavy equipment. A state of local emergency was declared for Fox Lake, followed by an evacuation order on May 3. An evacuation alert for Garden River was issued on May 13.[12] Over 100 structures have been destroyed in the community of Fox Lake as of May 11, 2023.

HWF-042 is currently under control at 181 hectares (447 acres). It is 1 kilometre (1 mi) north of the Highway 88 bridge over the Peace River. Highway 88 was closed on the afternoon of May 6 until one lane was opened later that day.[13] Twelve firefighters and seven helicopters, heavy equipment and airtankers are working to prevent the fire from spreading further. The fire has since been classified as under control.

Official name Date Location Current status Area burned
HWF-042 May 6 - present 1 km (0.62 mi) N of Peace River Under control 181 hectares (447 acres)
HWF-036 May 3 - present Rainbow Lake Out of control 108,402 hectares (267,867 acres)
HWF-030 May 2 - present Fox Lake Out of control 35,285 hectares (87,191 acres)

Rocky Mountain House Forest Area

Two wildfires are currently considered as out of control.

RCX-001, also called the Elk River Fire Complex, consists of four fires – RWF-027, RWF-030, RWF-034 and RWF-040. All of these fires are considered out of control except RWF-030, which is currently being held. The fires were near the O'Chiese Reserve and had grown to roughly 66,301 hectares (163,833 acres) of actively burning areas. On May 7, RWF-027 was extinguished and the statuses of RWF-030 and RWF-040 were changed to being held. RWF-034 continues to burn out of control.[2]

The other fire considered out of control, RWF-031, is 17 kilometres (11 mi) southeast of Nordegg. Firefighters and heavy equipment are responding to the fire.[2]

Official name Date Location Current status Area burned
RWF-034 present SW of Drayton Valley Out of control 67,024 hectares (165,620 acres)
RWF-031 April 29 - present 17 km (11 mi) SE of Nordegg Out of control 80 hectares (198 acres)

Slave Lake Forest Area

The Slave Lake Forest Area has the biggest forest area that is actively burning, at 121,201 hectares (299,494 acres). Eight fires in this forest area are currently out of control.[14]

A complex of three wildfires are currently burning out of control with an active burning area of 83,660 hectares (206,728 acres). These wildfires, which are SWF-063, SWF-057 and SWF-064, are referenced as the Grizzly Complex and are being confronted by 60 firefighters, 7 helicopters including a ignition equipped helicopter and 3 heavy equipment groups.[14]

Another large fire complex is the Nipisi Complex, which has burned an area of 17,094 hectares (42,240 acres). This complex consists of SWF-059, SWF-060, SWF-061 and SWF-070. The fires are being fought with 25 firefighters, 5 helicopters and 2 heavy equipment groups.[14]

The last of the out of control fires is the SWF-068 fire, which has burned an area of 23,700 hectares (58,564 acres). It is currently being monitored by a wildfire assessor in a helicopter. In the last few days, it has shrunk slightly due to the rainfall in the area.[14]

Official name Date Location Current status Area burned
SWF-063
SWF-057
SWF-064		 present SW of Slave Lake Out of control 83,660 hectares (206,728 acres)
SWF-059
SWF-060
SWF-061
SWF-070		 present W of Fort McMurray Out of control 17,094 hectares (42,240 acres)
SWF-068 present SW of Peace River Out of control 23,700 hectares (58,564 acres)

Whitecourt Forest Area

Three wildfires classified out of control are active in this forest area.[15]

WWF-023 is a rapidly spreading fire due to extreme conditions 15 kilometres (9 mi) northeast of Fox Creek heading northwestward. It is currently burning in an area of roughly 21,000 hectares (51,892 acres). Multiple firefighters and helicopters are fighting the fire. Alberta Wildfire and the Town of Fox Creek are working together to prevent damages and casualties.[15]

WIR-001 is a fire burning out of control currently burning 100 hectares (247 acres). Alberta Wildfire is assisting with hoses and pump equipments.[15]

The WCU-001 and WCU-002 fires are also within the boundaries of the Whitecourt Forest Area.[15]

Official name Date Location Current status Area burned
WWF-023 May 5 - present 15 km (9.3 mi) NE of Fox Creek Out of control 21,000 hectares (51,892 acres)
WIR-001 May 1 - present 1 km (0.62 mi) SW of Duffield Out of control 100 hectares (247 acres)

Evacuations

Evacuation orders were issued for multiple communities throughout the province.

On April 29, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the hamlets of Evansburg and Entwistle, due to two wildfires in their vicinity.[16] The evacuation order was lifted on May 3, only for it to be reinstated on May 4, due to the fires increasing in size.[17]

The community of Fox Lake, on the Fox Lake 162 reserve, was issued an evacuation order May 3, with all residents being evacuated by May 5. As of May 11, the local police station, general store, and at least 100 homes have been destroyed by fire.[18]

The Town of Drayton Valley, approximately 133 km (83 mi) southwest of Edmonton, was issued an evacuation order on May 4. The local fire department reported that one structure had been lost.[19]

On May 5, the Hamlet of Nordegg and the of Big Horn 144A reserve were issued an evacuation order due to nearby wildfires.[20]

Also on May 5, evacuation orders were issued for the Town of Edson due to multiple nearby wildfires.[21]

On May 6, the Town of Fox Creek and the Hamlet of Little Smoky were issued an evacuation order.[22]

On May 13, the community of Chateh issued an evacuation order due to the Long Lake Fire (HWF-036) making a 25 kilometer run towards the community.[23]

On May 14, the community of Chipewyan Lake issued an evacuation order due to an out-of-control wildfire starting north of the community.

Firefighting

Seasonal wildland firefighters and year-round firefighters from Alberta Wildfire have been working to control the wildfires. On May 5, Alberta Wildfire announced that 79 firefighters from the provinces of Ontario and Quebec would be arriving to assist with firefighting efforts.[24] Alberta Premier Danielle Smith reported that 121,909 hectares have been burned due to the fires.[25] On May 8, 22 Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry were sent to Alberta to help.[26]

Impact

The wildfires have impacted the Alberta general election scheduled for May 29, 2023. The Alberta New Democratic Party announced the party would stop campaigning in the seven ridings hit particularly hard by the fires: Drayton Valley-Devon, Lesser Slave Lake, Central Peace-Notley, Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville, West Yellowhead, and Grande Prairie-Wapiti.[27] On May 11, at least 300 members of the Canadian Armed Forces were sent to different parts of Alberta to help.[28]

The jet stream has transported the wildfire smoke from Alberta into the United States and across Canada, extending from the Rocky Mountains to the East Coast. In parts of Montana, including Glasgow, a smoke advisory was issued by the National Weather Service.[29] Air quality statements have been issued for Calgary and Edmonton as smoke descends from the wildfires.[30]

See also

References
  1. "Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard". Government of Alberta. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  2. "Rocky Mountain House Area Update". Alberta Wildfire. Government of Alberta. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  3. "ArcGIS Dashboards". www.arcgis.com. Archived from the original on 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  4. "More than 29,000 people are evacuated from communities throughout Alberta as wildfires rage in Canada". CNN. 8 May 2023. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  5. "Canada's Alberta announces state of emergency over wildfires". Al Jazeera. 7 May 2023. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  6. "Alberta declares state of emergency | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Archived from the original on 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  7. "Wildfires of Note". Alberta Wildfire. Government of Alberta. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  8. "Edson Area Update". Alberta Wildfire. Government of Alberta. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  9. "Grande Prairie Area Update". Alberta Wildfire. Government of Alberta. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  10. "High Level Area Update". web.archive.org. 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  11. "High Level Area Update". web.archive.org. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  12. "High Level Area Update". Alberta Wildfire. Government of Alberta. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  13. "High Level Forest Area Wildfire Update - May 6, 2023 at 8:30 p.m." web.archive.org. 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  14. "Slave Lake Area Update". Alberta Wildfire. Government of Alberta. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  15. "Whitecourt Area Update". Alberta Wildfire. Government of Alberta. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  16. "Communities surrounding Edmonton under evacuation orders as area grass fires grow". edmontonjournal. Archived from the original on 2023-04-30. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  17. "Entwistle residents flee twice in once week, more Parkland County residents evacuated Friday". Edmonton. May 5, 2023. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  18. "Fox Lake evacuees settling in High Level area as wildfire remains out of control". Edmonton. May 5, 2023. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  19. "Drayton Valley residents flee central Alberta town amid wildfire evacuation order | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Archived from the original on 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  20. "Evacuation alert issued for Nordegg, Bighorn area due to wildfire - Red Deer Advocate". www.reddeeradvocate.com. May 5, 2023. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  21. "Damage details, length of evacuation order unknown in Yellowhead County". Edmonton. May 5, 2023. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  22. Fisher, Erica (May 6, 2023). "UPDATE: Fox Creek evacuation order expanded to include Little Smoky, surrounding areas". My Grande Prairie Now. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  23. ""Residents of Chateh, Alta., flee their homes again as fire encroaches"". CBC News. 2023-05-14. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  24. Jones, Sarah. "Alberta calls in 79 out of province firefighters to assist in multiple active wildfires". Archived from the original on 2023-05-05. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  25. Tucker, Dave Alsup,Matt Phillips,Emma (May 6, 2023). "Almost 25,000 people in Western Canada evacuated as wildfires rage across region amid hot weather and high winds". CNN. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  26. "ODF sends 22 firefighters to Alberta to help fight wildfires". May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  27. Climenhaga, David (2023-05-07). "Wildfire state of emergency introduces new calculus to Alberta election campaign". Alberta Politics. Archived from the original on 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  28. Mertz, Emily (May 11, 2023). "Alberta wildfires: Where and how are Canadian Armed Forces deployed?". Global News. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  29. Livingston, Ian (2023-05-17). "Calgary smothered in wildfire smoke, as plumes surge into Lower 48 states". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  30. "Alberta wildfires: Smoke triggers special air quality statement for much of province | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
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