High Level Forest Area - July 12, 2025

Community engagement

Alberta Wildfire personnel attended the High Level Rodeo today, interacting — and discussing the wildfire situation and prevention — with local families, visitors and others throughout the afternoon. Bertie Beaver, Alberta Forestry's mascot who is well known for his support of wildfire prevention, made his third appearance in the High Level Forest Area this year.

The children loved "Bertie Beaver", Alberta's Forestry mascot and a huge advocate of wildfire prevention and fire safety, who made an appearance at the High Level Rodeo today (July 12).

Fire permits needed 

With the fire ban lifted, safe burning is now allowed. Please remember, however, that permits are required for any type of burning in the Forest Protection Area — except campfires.

Request your permit online or by calling the office at 780-926-5407. As the fire ban was in effect for more than five weeks, we are receiving many requests, so please be patient as our patrol people respond as quickly as they can. 

Wildfire situation

Sousa Creek Wildfire 

Firefighting personnel continue to make good progress on this wildfire (HWF036), which is between Rainbow Lake and High Level, on both sides of Highway 58. HWF036 remains classified as out of control at this time — at 52,672 hectares (ha). 

Firefighters are working on the west and southwest sides of the wildfire, where hot spots are persistent and require additional work. Firefighters will have to dig deep, often with the assistance of heavy equipment, and soak hotspots with water to extinguish them.

The northwest section is showing very little wildfire activity, except for a very deep hot spot that firefighters are monitoring closely. Water sprinklers are set up to keep the area cool and keep the wildfire from spreading, while firefighters action this hot spot.

Infrared heat scanning has been requested for tonight to identify further hot spots, which will help firefighters focus on priority areas as we continue our efforts to contain and control this wildfire. Please note that smoke may still be visible at times, as unburnt pockets of vegetation ignite in the interior of the fire.

Border fires

Alberta Wildfire continues to work closely with its B.C. counterpart to monitor and contain wildfires HBZ001 and HBZ002, which are located on the Alberta-B.C. border. Both of these wildfires are now being held. 

Wildfire south of Meander

HWF065, which is south of the community of Meander River and west of Highway 35, is now under control. Firefighting personnel continue working to fully contain and control this wildfire. This wildfire remains an estimated 650 ha and its cause has been determined to be lightning. 

Wildfire statistics

Since January 1, there have been 84 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area, burning approximately 55,000 ha. To view wildfires on a map and for live updates, download the Alberta Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard. Learn about the wildfire status definitions used in Alberta.

Contact info

Mark Giles
780-285-4490
[email protected]