The Wood Buffalo National Park has released their wildfire update for July 12th.
Fire 24 was discovered on a smoke flight yesterday. It is located on the western side of the park near the Park border with Alberta south of Buffalo Lake. It was last mapped at 8 hectares and is being observed. It currently poses no risk to any communities or infrastructure.
Highway 5 remains open, and there is no risk to any communities from this fire at this time.
Fire specialists continue to fly the area daily and are using the information acquired to develop a fire analysis, which looks at management options and highlights the resources required for each option. Currently, the fire is surrounded by historic burn areas with poor fuel. It is anticipated these previous burns will limit the fire’s growth.
Smoke may be visible from the highway, so travellers are asked to drive with caution in the area. Safety of people, communities and infrastructure is the top priority for Parks Canada in fire management operations.
Fire 17 is approximately 13 hectares in size and is classified as Under Control. It was detected and actioned immediately. This fire is 30 km from Fort Smith and poses no current risk to any communities.
In the Pine Lake Complex yesterday, crews completed the final ignition work required for the Pine Lake fireguard. Today crews will be patrolling along control lines to extinguish hotspots and make the line along the guard cold between 15 and 50 feet in from the perimeter of the burned area. In addition to helping prevent the spread of Fire 2 and Fire 7 toward the values in this area, the ignition work that was completed will help provide a longer-term strategic fire break for the Pine Lake area for future years.
