High Level Forest Area - June 04, 2025

Wildfire situation

Sousa Creek Wildfire (HWF036) 

The 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, which is out of control at an estimated 37,000 hectares (ha), remains the highest priority fire within the forest area.

It is located (approximately):

• 6.1 km from the southern edge of the community (reserve area) of Chateh
• 56 km from the southeast edge of the community (reserve area) of Meander River
• 71.5 km from the western edge of the Town of High Level
• 29.5 km from the eastern edge of the Town of Rainbow Lake

Additional firefighting resources

Additional resources have arrived in the forest area to support suppression efforts on the Sousa Creek Wildfire (HWF036), including:

• a 20-person fire crew, which arrived from Oregon on Tuesday and is now supporting HWF036
• a 20-person fire crew from Washington (state), which arrived Monday
• an additional 20-person U.S fire crew, which is set to arrive this evening
• an S61 heavy helicopter, which can carry at least twice the amount of water for bucketing, arrived Monday and is now operating from Rainbow Lake to support HWF036
• additional heavy equipment that has arrived over the past 48 hours
• an incident management team (IMT), which has been established (west of HWF036), to oversee planning, operations and logistical support for ground crews, aircraft and heavy equipment. An IMT from Quebec will transition into this role starting tomorrow.
• a night-vision-capable helicopter, which is set to arrive to provide overnight bucketing support starting tonight.

Heavy equipment continues to work along the northeastern perimeter, near the Sousa Creek. Additional heavy equipment has started building containment line along the northwestern perimeter, south of Highway 58. Ground crews with helicopter support will continue to work along established lines. Air tanker support is available, when required and when conditions are suitable. 

Structure protection has been deployed within the community of Chateh, and power to the Town 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 

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

Heavy equipment continues its work building a containment line with a current focus on the south side. This will be followed by work on the eastern side – along a corridor between two previously burned areas that is stalling growth to the east-southeast. Bucketing helicopters are providing air support today and fire crews will support overall efforts to suppress this wildfire. 

There is currently no threat to communities, and the cause of this wildfire is under investigation.

HWF040

This wildfire, which is east of the La Crete Ferry and just south of Highway 697, is now being held at about 395 ha. With the progress made on this wildfire, crews have been able to remove the structure protection previously put in place and evacuated residents have returned home.

Three fire crews with helicopters, water trucks and heavy equipment operators are continuing their work to suppress this wildfire.

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

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

Residents and others on the western side of the forest area may see smoke from a wildfire (HBZ001) currently burning along the provincial border. The High Level 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 47 wildfires in the High Level Forest Area to date, burning more than 37,000 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.

Safety near burnt areas

We urge residents and members of the public to use extra caution near burnt areas. There are many hazards that may not be visible, such as deep-burning ash pits and falling trees. Burnt trees can be a serious hazard, and trees that may look healthy — with green needles or leaves — could have burnt-out roots under the ground and fall unexpectedly. Trees and powerlines could also fall on the road and block your vehicle. Do not approach powerlines, as they could be energized.

Illegal use of drones near wildfires

Flying a drone near or over a wildfire endangers our pilots and forces us to ground aircraft, causing delays in firefighting operations. There are significant fines for putting aircraft and people at risk. Please give firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely.