Alberta Wildfire says crews have made good progress in fighting the Wood Buffalo Complex fire.
The fire is being managed under a unified command between the Government of Northwest Territories, Parks Canada, and Alberta Wildfire.
The blaze is estimated at 472,205 hectares in size and is burning 3.1 km from Fort Fitzgerald in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).
There are currently 359 personnel which include 88 pieces of heavy equipment, 26 helicopters, and 162 firefighters and structure protection personnel responding to the Wood Buffalo Complex. Firefighters continue to work in priority areas, assisted by helicopters and heavy equipment to limit spread toward communities.
Across the RMWB the fire hazard is classified as Very High, and a Fire Advisory is in effect for the Fort McMurray Forest Area. Under the advisory, safe campfires, backyard fires, and cooking with charcoal are still allowed.
Burn permits have not yet been suspended, but new permits are being issued only at the discretion of a provincial forest officer.
