Alberta Wildfires of note
Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard
July 24, 2024

There are four wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

MCX002 - Cattail Lake Complex

Wildfires MWF047 and MWF077 and MWF079 are part of the Cattail Lake Complex. All of these wildfires are out of control except for MWF079, which is being held.

MWF047 is the largest wildfire in this complex and is 104,619 ha (403.94 sq mi) in size. This wildfire is approximately 6.8 km northeast of industrial facilities, 53 km northeast Fort McKay and 68 km northeast of Fort McMurray.

MWF077 is 17,962 hectares in size. This wildfire is located approximately 6.7 km south of industrial facilities, 46 km east of Fort McKay and 48 km northeast of Fort McMurray.

Crews continue to work on strengthening the containment lines, with the support of helicopters who are bucketing on hot spots. Their work is focused on the southwest edge of MWF047 and the northwest edge of MWF077. Ground retardant continues to be applied to power poles in the area.

There are over 250 firefighters and support staff, 19 helicopters and 30 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex. An incident management team is overseeing operations.

LCX001 - Kettle River Complex

The Kettle River Complex includes 17 wildfires: LWF101 LWF123, LWF124, LWF126, LWF136, LWF139, LWF140, LWF141, LWF142, LWF143, LWF152, LWF155, LWF156, LWF159, LWF162, LWF164 and LWF168.

LWF136 is classified as out of control at 765 ha in size. It is located approximately 12 km north of the community of Janvier and 3 km from highway 881. Today, crews will continue to reinforce the containment lines using water pumps and hoses. Heavy equipment has completed the construction of the guard around the fire's perimeter. Ground crews will continue to establish containment lines on the south side of the wildfires, and helicopters are ready to support crews and heavy equipment if necessary.

LWF164 is classified as out of control at 1054 ha in size. It is located approximately 12km northeast of Conklin along highway 881. Last night, night-vision capable helicopters were able to bucket on the portion of the fire that jumped Highway 881 and were successful in keeping it contained. Today, a Firetack crew and heavy equipment will continue to establish a dozer guard along the east and south sides of the wildfire.

LWF152 is classified as out of control at 465 ha in size. This wildfire is being monitored for growth and fire activity.

There are over 100 firefighters and support staff, seven helicopters and 14 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to this complex.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has issued an evacuation alert for the hamlet of Janvier.

Alberta Transportation may may temporarily close Highway 811 due to smoke drift. Visit 511 Alberta for the most up-to date information on road closures.

HCX001 - Semo Complex

Wildfires HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083, HWF136 and HWF141 are part of the Semo Complex. All of these wildfires are out of control.

HWF061 is the largest wildfire in the complex and is 96,181 ha in size. It is located 8 km northeast of Jon D'or Prairie, 4.2 km north of Fox Lake, 13 km northwest of Garden River and 2.2 km from Highway 58. It was caused by lightning.

HWF136 is 5,469 ha in size. It is located north of highway 58 and approximately 13 km northwest of Garden River.

HWF053 is 709 ha in size and is located directly above HWF061.

Heavy equipment operators continued to remove vegetation along Highway 58 overnight, working east of the recently completed community containment line adjacent to Highway 58.

There are over 400 firefighters and support staff, 14 helicopters and 51 pieces of heavy equipment working on this complex. An incident management team is overseeing operations.

Garden River, John D'or Prairie and Fox Lake are all under an evacuation order. Visit Alberta Emergency Alert for more information

MCX003 - Algar Lake Complex

Wildfires MWF069 and MWF086 make up the Algar Lake Complex. Both of these wildfires are out of control.

MWF069 is 17,127 ha in size. This wildfire is located 10 km west of Highway 63 and 40 km southwest of Fort McMurray.

MWF086 is 1,682 ha in size. It is located 37 km southwest of Fort McMurray.

Firefighters made good progress on the northeast corner of MWF069 yesterday. They will continue to patrol and action hot spots moving inward from the established perimeter on the northeast corner. They will also continue working northward along the perimeter with the support of bucketing helicopters. Aerial resources will also be focusing on the eastern flank throughout the day. Fire activity remained low to moderate yesterday under windy conditions.

There are over 150 firefighters and support staff working on this complex, eight helicopters and 25 pieces of heavy equipment. An incident management team is overseeing operations.

A wildfire of note is determined to be of significant public interest and may pose a threat to public safety, communities or critical infrastructure.

Wildfires of note do not typically include mutual aid wildfires located outside of the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Alberta Wildfire provides assistance on a mutual aid wildfire but is not the lead agency.