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Tag: High Level

Homes in community threatened by wildfire in Alberta are dangerously close together

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , , 3 Comments on Homes in community threatened by wildfire in Alberta are dangerously close together

In some areas the homes in High Level, Alberta are closer than the homes were in Paradise, California before the Camp Fire of November, 2018.

housing density High Level, Alberta Chuckegg Creek Fire
Satellite photo showing housing density in High Level, Alberta, which is threatened by the Chuckegg Creek fire. Note the graphic scale at bottom-left. The spacing between some of the homes is about 10 feet. Photo from Google Earth dated Sept. 19, 2019. Click to enlarge.

The entire town of High Level, Alberta is being evacuated today, May 20, 2019. If the Chuckegg Creek Fire burns close to or into the town while pushed by a strong wind, it could be a repeat of the nightmare scenario we saw last November in Paradise, California when the Camp Fire spread from house to house.

Map of the Chuckegg Creek HWF042 wildfire
Map of the Chuckegg Creek HWF042 wildfire southwest of High Level, Alberta at 5:18 a.m. CDT May 20, 2019.

Monday at 3:12 p.m. MDT the Chuckegg Fire was about four miles southwest of High Level. Moderate or strong winds are expected to push the head of the fire toward the northwest  this week, but spread on the flanks will most likely cause it to move closer to the town at the same time. By the weekend the forecast calls for winds out of the west that would seriously increase the threat to the town unless the 64 firefighters assigned on the 170,000-acre fire can perform heroic measures to stop the fire in that area.

(To see all of the articles on Wildfire Today about the Chuckegg Fire, including the most recent, click here.)

In some neighborhoods in Paradise last Fall the homes were about 18 to 20 feet apart according to the measurements we took using Google Earth. In High Level, that separation distance is about half that — in some areas the homes are about 10 feet apart.

When one structure is ignited by a burning ember that may have traveled a quarter of a mile or more from a fire (or a burning home) the radiant heat alone can ignite the homes on both sides. Then you can have a self-powered conflagration spreading house to house through a city. When the structures are that close together, the homeowners have not reduced the fuel in the Home Ignition Zone, and the home itself is not built to FireWise standards, a massive disaster can be the result. A strong wind exacerbates the problem. In Paradise the wind kept much of the heat and the embers close to the ground, preheating fuels ahead. The canopies of some of the trees survived, but virtually nothing near the ground remained unburned.

Wildfire in Alberta burns more than 100,000 acres

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , 12 Comments on Wildfire in Alberta burns more than 100,000 acres

The fire is seven miles southwest of High Level, AB

Map of the Chuckegg Creek HWF042 wildfire
Map of the Chuckegg Creek HWF042 wildfire southwest of High Level, Alberta at 5:18 a.m. CDT May 20, 2019. Click to enlarge.

(UPDATE at 2:39 p.m. MDT May 20, 2019)

Mandatory evacuation order issued for an area near High Level, Alberta, due to the Chuckegg Creek Fire. At 11:40 a.m. May 20 Mackenzie County declared a State of Local Emergency and issued the order for residents living south and southeast of the Town of High Level, Alberta. All evacuees must register at the High Level Arena (10101 105 Ave). Crews will be going door to door to notify affected residents. Manned barricades will be set up on all roads to prevent unauthorized entry into the evacuated areas.

(To see all of the articles on Wildfire Today about the Chuckegg Fire, including the most recent, click here.)

(UPDATED at 11:31 a.m. MDT May 20, 2019)

The Chuckegg Creek Fire southwest of High Level, Alberta continued to spread rapidly to the north Sunday afternoon and into the night, running across and becoming well established north of Highway 58.

The Town of High Creek advised their residents Monday morning:

As of 9:00 a.m. May 20, 2019, the town remains in no immediate danger, but residents are recommended to remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate if conditions change. The eastern flank of the fire had slow growth over night. The HLFD will begin Sprinkler protection operations today May 20, 2019, in town and at the Tolko mill.

Our very unofficial estimate of the size, based on satellite imagery at 5:18 a.m. May 20, is that the Chuckegg Creek Fire has burned approximately 150,000 acres (60,700 ha). (UPDATE at 11:26 a.m. MDT May 20: Alberta Wildfire said the fire has burned 69,000 ha (170,500 acres).

Strong gusty winds are in the forecast again for Monday, which should produce continued growth of the fire.

Alberta Wildfire has 64 firefighters, heavy equipment, and helicopters and air tankers working to contain the fire. Additional resources have been requested.

(Originally published at 3:44 p.m. MDT May 19, 2019)

Chuckegg Creek Fire Alberta High Level
Chuckegg Creek Fire southwest of High Level, Alberta. Photo by Alberta Wildfire (around noon May 19, 2019).

A very large wildfire in northern Alberta almost doubled in size Sunday due to low humidity and 20 km/h southeast winds gusting to 40. The strong winds are expected to continue until dark Sunday but will become lighter Sunday night through Tuesday.

The fire is approximately seven miles southeast of High Level and is spreading toward the northwest.

The most of the fire is west of Highway 35 and south of Highway 35, but there is active fire east of 35. On Sunday it crossed Highway 58, 17 miles west of High Level.

Satellite photo wildfire High Level, Alberta
Satellite photo of the wildfire southwest of High Level, Alberta at 12:14 p.m. CDT May 19, 2019.

Officials said Sunday that neither the Town of High Level or Norbord Plant are under immediate threat. There was no Evacuation Alert in effect Sunday at noon, but residents were advised to remain vigilant.

map wildfire high level alberta may 19, 2019
Map of the wildfire southwest of High Level, Alberta at 12:14 p.m. CDT May 19, 2019.

On Sunday morning May 19 Alberta Wildfire reported the fire, named Chuckegg Creek HWF042, was 25,334 ha (62,600 acres). Our very unofficial estimate of the size when it was overflown by a satellite at 12:14 p.m. MDT May 19 is 40,000 ha  (99,000 acres). This measurement was based on heat detected by the satellite. Generally a fire can be described as a “megafire” when it reaches 100,000 acres.

The fire is being fought with heavy equipment and 53 firefighters, along with air support from helicopters and air tankers.

Wildfire danger in Alberta, May 19, 2019
Wildfire danger in Alberta, May 19, 2019. By Alberta Wildfire.