High Level Forest Area - June 02, 2025

HWF036 (Sousa Creek Wildfire) is between the towns of Rainbow Lake and High Level, near the Chateh turnoff, and along both sides of Highway 58. This wildfire is out of control and remains the highest priority fire within the forest area.

It is located (approximately):

• 6.7 km from the southern edge of the community of Chateh
• 72 km from the western edge of the Town of High Level
• 30 km from the eastern edge of the Town of Rainbow Lake

Alberta Wildfire is set to conduct an aerial assessment today to update the size of this fire, if required. It is currently estimated at 33,000 hectares (ha).

There was some growth overnight on the southeastern and eastern edges. The eastern edge of the fire has reached the western boundary of the 2023 Bassett fire, where a containment line was established. There has been little growth within the 2023 fire perimeter, beyond the containment line. 

Heavy equipment operators continue to build containment line east of the Chateh turnoff, along the northeastern fire perimeter, near the Sousa Creek. Firefighters with helicopter support continue to work along established containment lines on the northern and northwest edges. Air tanker support is available, when required and when conditions are suitable. 

Firefighting crews continue to work both day and night. Some additional resources have arrived, including an S61 heavy helicopter, which can carry at least twice the amount of water (for bucketing) as a medium, and an incident management team that is being established to oversee planning, operations and logistical support for fire crews, aircraft and heavy equipment operators working to suppress this wildfire.   

An S61 heavy helicopter has arrived in High Level and will be moving to Rainbow Lake today to provide additional air support for HWF036. The S61 can carry at least twice the amount of water (for bucketing) as a medium helicopter.

Structure protection (SP) has been deployed within the community with additional SP resources from the Town of Rainbow Lake. Power to the communities of Rainbow Lake and Chateh is not currently impacted. ATCO crews continue to work on repairing damaged powerline infrastructure within the fire. Telus has completed repair work on communication infrastructure, which had been damaged, to reestablish communications for the Town of Rainbow Lake. 

Travellers on Highway 58 should expect delays or intermittent closures (please check 511 for updates). The cause of this wildfire remains under investigation.

HWF037 is within the Buffalo Head Hills, about 33 km west of the community of Tall Cree First Nation South. It is out of control about 940 ha in size.

Heavy equipment is now working to build a containment line along the northern edge, followed by work on the eastern edge – along a corridor between two previously burned areas that is stalling growth to the east/southeast. Air tankers worked yesterday to strengthen the perimeter and support the heavy equipment now on location. There is currently no threat to communities.

HWF040 is east of the LaCrete Ferry and just south of Highway 697. It is out of control and about 395 ha in size.

Alberta Wildfire and local fire departments worked throughout the night. Today, crews with helicopter support will continue to strengthen containment lines around the fire perimeter. Structure protection is in place for all at-risk residences adjacent to the fire perimeter.

Travellers on Highway 697 should expect delays or intermittent closures (please check 511 for updates). The cause of this wildfire remains under investigation.

HWF044 is a wildfire located west of Highway 35, approximately 12 km northwest of Indian Cabins. It is being held at 0.5 ha in size.

This wildfire is located within the perimeter of HTZ001, which was a fire that started in 2023 and was recently extinguished. It does not currently pose a threat to communities. 

Smoke from wildfire on the Alberta-B.C. border 

Residents and others on the western side of the HLFA may see smoke from a wildfire (HBZ001) currently burning along the provincial border. The HLFA Fire Centre is in regular contact with its B.C. counterpart to monitor this wildfire. The Government of Canada also monitors smoke conditions across the country.

In 2025, there have been 43 wildfires in the HLFA to date, burning more than 26,000 ha.

To view wildfires on a map and for live updates, download the Alberta Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard. Learn more about wildfire status definitions used in Alberta.

Lightning-caused wildfires

Lightning-caused wildfires are a common natural occurrence in Alberta, accounting for approximately 37% of the wildfires that occur each year. These wildfires often start in remote areas when lightning strikes dry vegetation, such as grass and trees, which can facilitate a quick start. Since these starts are often located far from roads or communities, they can easily go unnoticed. 

Alberta Wildfire closely monitors lightning activity using resources such as aerial surveillance and fire lookout observers to detect and respond to these wildfires as quickly as possible. Many fire detections are also reported by the public.

As an example, several of the very recent wildfires starts detected in the Slave Lake Forest Area have been determined to have been caused by lightning.

All forest areas have firefighters and equipment ready to respond. Please call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flames and suspect it's a wildfire. Learn more about how to report a wildfire.

Contact info

Mark Giles
780-285-4490
[email protected]