Smoke Forecast July 21, image via Firesmoke.ca
FORT McMURRAY — Smoke is expected to drift in and out of the Fort McMurray region again today as wildfires burning in the Northwest Territories continue to blanket parts of northern Alberta.
The smoke is being driven by hundreds of active fires burning across the Northwest Territories, where firefighters remain engaged in a challenging wildfire season.
The territory has 239 wildfires, including 203 active blazes. Of those, 196 remain out of control. More than 777,000 hectares have burned.
The largest concentrations of fire activity include the North Slave complex, where 67 fires have burned nearly 500,000 hectares, and the South Slave complex, which includes 42 fires covering more than 55,000 hectares. The Dehcho fire complex has burned nearly 20,000 hectares since early June after being sparked by lightning.
Meanwhile, Parks Canada says wildfire danger remains very high in Wood Buffalo National Park, where crews continue battling the Bear Creek Wildfire Complex.
Eleven helicopters, 60 firefighters and a Parks Canada Incident Management Team remain assigned to the complex, which has burned an estimated 49,100 hectares.
Officials say the fires are not threatening nearby Indigenous communities or the Town of Fort Smith.
Drone flights continue to identify hotspots along the fire perimeter, helping crews focus suppression efforts. Smoke forced firefighters to suspend some operations Sunday as visibility deteriorated, although work is expected to resume as conditions allow.
Parks Canada says Highway 5 remains open despite some online maps incorrectly showing a closure. Drivers are being warned to expect reduced visibility because of smoke.
Closer to home, wildfire danger remains very high in Fort Fitzgerald and Fort Chipewyan and high in the Fort McMurray area.
Alberta Wildfire says smoky conditions from Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories will continue to affect the region. Residents are encouraged to limit time outdoors if smoke becomes heavy and to use caution with any activity that could spark a wildfire.
There is currently one active wildfire in the Fort McMurray Forest Area.
The fire, located about 52 kilometres west of Fort McMurray, is 0.16 hectares in size and classified as under control. Officials say it poses no threat to communities or infrastructure.
Since Jan. 1, Alberta Wildfire has responded to 44 wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area. Officials continue encouraging residents to fully extinguish campfires, check off-highway vehicles for debris and report any wildfire smoke by calling 310-FIRE.
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