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FIRE UPDATE : Cold Lake Air Weapons Range

***UPDATE JUNE 15TH, FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRE***

This fire is being held at 31,997 hectares.  The fire is now 100% contained!  Crews worked today to complete the containment lines along the north side of the fire.  Other crews worked to extinguish visible flare ups and hotspots identified by the morning scan.  More crews are continuing to work to extinguish everything within 100 feet of the perimeter.  This process will continue for the next several weeks.  Crews will continue to walk the fire, in a systematic grid, extinguishing hotspots, smouldering ground and flare ups.  The principles we apply to a campfire – Soak it, Stir it, Soak It Again – apply here as well, but on a bigger scale.  Crews will soak the ground with pumps and hoses, stir up the ashes with hand tools like axes and shovels, and soak it again.  They won’t be satisfied until the ashes are cold to the touch.  We call this “cold trailing” the fire.  It’s a long process, but it’s important we don’t leave the fire until we’re confident it won’t come back to life when the winds pick up and the temperatures get warm again.  Thanks for your patience.  We know everyone is anxious to get back to work, and we have your safety in mind.

The photo below shows crews pulling hose through the fire area on LWF 122 to extinguish hotspots. Pulling heavy hose, under pressure, over the forest floor and through the brush is really tough work!

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***UPDATE JUNE 12TH, FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRE***

This fire is BEING HELD and has not grown in size.  It is just under 32,000 hectares.  Crews continued to work on containment lines on the north side of the fire.  The north side of the fire didn’t receive any precip today, and the south side received a small amount of precip.  Crews are working to extinguish hotspots identified by early morning scanning.  Almost 340 firefighters continue to work on this fire.

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***UPDATE JUNE 10TH, FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRE***

The status of this fire was changed to BEING HELD.  This is a major milestone!  This wildfire began 18 days ago, on May 22nd, and is 31,997 hectares in size.  The growth over yesterday’s reported size is due to unburnt fingers or strips between burnt areas finally burning today on the north side of the fire.  Fire guard extends around 90% of the fire (portion on the north side remains).

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Currently there are 343 firefighters fighting this wildfire, including firefighters from British Columbia and Parks Canada as well as 19 aircraft and various pieces of heavy equipment.

There are areas of open flame (torching) within the perimeter of the fire which is creating smoke. Firefighters continue to work in safe areas, moving from the perimeter to the centre of the wildfire, putting out smoldering ground fires (hotspots) and extinguishing any open flames as they come across them. They are using various hand tools including shovels, water packs, axes and their hands! Helicopters are helping by transporting crew members and bucketing on the wildfire when needed. Heavy equipment continues to work on creating a fire guard around the perimeter.

Some industry employees are able to re-enter the Cold Lake Weapons Range (CLWR) where wildfire is not affecting facilities. Access to areas within the wildfire is permitted upon application, contact your respective company to find out your status.

Crews are working to complete the guard on the north side of the fire.  We will continue working from the perimeter to the interior of the wildfire working to completely extinguish the burn.

photo: Three hard working firefighters dragging hose over rough forest floor and through the ashes to extinguish hot spots, smouldering ground, and tree roots.

COLD LAKE FIRE

 

***UPDATE JUNE 9TH, FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRE***

This wildfire began on May 22nd and has not significantly grown in the last 8 days, thanks to the hard work of our firefighters! It remains classified as out of control at 31, 768 hectares in size. Currently there are 343 firefighters fighting this wildfire, including firefighters from British Columbia and Park Canada as well as 19 aircraft and various pieces of heavy equipment.

There are areas of open flame (torching) within the perimeter of the fire which is creating smoke. Firefighters continue to work in safe areas, moving from the perimeter to the centre of the wildfire, putting out smoldering ground fires (hotspots) and extinguishing any open flames as they come across them. They are using various hand tools including shovels, water packs, axes and their hands! Helicopters are helping by transporting crew members and bucketing on the wildfire when needed. Heavy equipment continues to work on creating a fire guard around the perimeter.

Some industry employees are able to re-enter the Cold Lake Weapons Range (CLWR) where wildfire is not affecting facilities. Access to areas within the wildfire is permitted upon application, contact your respective company to find out your status.

Fire Fighters will continue working from the perimeter to the interior of the wildfire working to completely extinguishing the burn.

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***UPDATE JUNE 8TH, FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRE***

The fire has not grown in 7 days, thanks to the hard work of our firefighters! It remains classified as out of control at 31,334 hectares in size

How many firefigthers are working on this fire? Currently there are 336 firefighters fighting this wildfire, including firefighters from Ontario and British Columbia as well as 19 aircraft and various pieces of heavy equipment.

Current activity on the fire: There are areas of open flame (torching) happening within the perimeter of the fire which are creating smoke. Firefighters continue to work in safe areas, moving from the perimeter to the centre of the wildfire, putting out smoldering ground fires (hotspots) and extinguishing any open flames as they come across them. They are using various hand tools including shovels, water packs, axes and their hands! Helicopters are helping by transporting crew members and bucketing on the wildfire when needed. Heavy equipment continues to work on creating a fire guard around the perimeter.

cold lake fire 17

 

Some industry employees are able to re-enter the Cold Lake Weapons Range (CLWR) where wildfire is not affecting facilities. Some areas within the wildfire are still restricted for industry staff; contact your respective company to find out your status.

What is the plan for tomorrow? We will continue working from the perimeter to the interior of the wildfire working to completely extinguishing the burn.

 

***EVENING UPDATE JUNE 4TH, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

Status: This wildfire remains classified as out of control and is 31,334 hectares.

How many firefigthers are working on this fire? There are 290 firefighters fighting this wildfire, including firefighters from Ontario, British Columbia and Parks Canada. As well as 14 aircraft and various pieces of heavy equipment.

Current activity on the fire: firefighters are working on moving from the perimeter to the centre of the wildfire, putting out smoldering ground fires and attacking any open flames as they move. They are using hand tools; helicopters are helping by transporting crew memebers and bucketing when needed. Equipment continues to work on creating a fire gaurd around the permitier.

Some industry employees are able to re-enter the Cold Lake Weapons Range (CLWR) where wildfire is not affecting facilities. Some areas within the wildfire are still restricted for industry staff; contact your respective company to find out your status.

What is the plan for tomorrow? We will continue working from the perimeter to the interior of the wildfire working towards completely extinguishing the burn.

 

***EVENING UPDATE JUNE 3RD, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

This fire remains classified as out of control at 31,334 hectares.  It is 60% contained by dozer guard. Our crews made excellent progress today in buidling this guard.  We expect to have the guard complete within 2 days. Some industry has been allowed re-entry into the CLAWR where fire is not affecting facilities.  Areas within the fire are still restricted for industry staff.  Questions about employee re-entry can be directed to the respective companies.

Today’s fire behavior was smouldering ground fire that is burning about two feet deep.  There has been some torching trees visible.  Crews continue to attack hot spots, expose roots of burnt trees, and turn over and soak groundfire. Almost 300 firefighters, staff, pilots and equipment operators are working on this fire.  We have crews from Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia and Parks Canada.  See the below for our recent “fire family photo” and close up of the patches on the uniforms/coveralls.

COLD LAKE FIRE 13 COLD LAKE FIRE 14

The photo belows shows shows a well site within the burn area.  Note the fire wrapped around the wellsite due to the short and tramped grass and gravel.  Now’s a good time to think about how you can FIRESMART your facilities to improve their chances of surviving a wildfire.  For more information, visit firesmartcanada.ca

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The image below shows leaning trees within the burnt area of the fire.  Leaning trees can be a sign of deep smouldering ground fire.  This fire compromises the root system which means trees are in danger of falling on our firefighters as they work on the ground fire.

COLD LAKE FIRE 16

***EVENING UPDATE JUNE 2ND, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

This fire remains classified as out of control at 31,334 hectares.  It is 44% contained by dozer guard. We expect to have the guard complete within 3 days. In the interim we remain vigilant, watching for winds and weather patterns that cuold stir parts of the fire back to life.  We will not recommend anyone return to the area until the guard is complete, we deem the fire as BEING HELD, and we are reasonably sure danger has passed.  Limited people have entered the fire area to inspect sites, but it is NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL.

Today’s fire behavior was smouldering ground fire that is burning about two feet deep.  Crews continue to action the fire, attacking hot spots, exposing roots of burnt trees, turning over and soaking ground fire. This is hard, back-breaking work for our ground crews. Almost 300 firefighters, staff, pilots and equipment operators are working on this fire – and sleeping in tents at night!  Firefighting is not for the timid!

The photo below shows our firefighters “tent city”

COLD LAKE FIRE 11

The photo belows shows the Fire (black area) stopping at Ken Baker Road.  Airtankers and helicopters bucketing worked hard to ensure the fire wouldn’t cross Ken Baker Road.

cold lake fire 12

 

***EVENING UPDATE JUNE 1ST, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

This fire remains classified as out of control at 31,334 hectares.  It is 44% contained by dozer guard.   Limited access re-entry into the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range commenced today, with some industry representatives visiting their plant sites to survey the situation. Current fire behavior is deep burning, smouldering ground fire.  If weather conditions remain consistent, we estimate completing containment within 72 hours.

Crews are working along the perimeter and inside the fire boundary to extinguish hot spots, and battle smouldering ground fire.  Burnt trees within the fire boundary are beginning to fall.  This will be a hazard for our firefighters as the winds pick up over the course of the week.

Almost 300 firefighters, staff, pilots and equipment operators are battling this wildfire.  The fire has received some precipitation for the past two days.  The forecast for the rest of the week shows no further precipitation, gradually warmer temperatures and winds from the SE.

The perimeter of the fire has not changed since yesterday.  An updated map is shown below.

COLD LAKE FIRE 9

Check out this amazing shot of the fog just lifting at the helibase this morning.  Thanks to Milan Skrecek, Helicopter Coordinator for LWF 122 for this great shot.

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***EVENING UPDATE MAY 31ST, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

This fire remains classified as out of control at 31,334 hectares.  There was no new growth on the fire today. The increased size is due to burning within the fire perimeter.  The fire received an average of 8mm of precipitation today.  This allowed us to make good progress on constructing guard around the fire.  We estimate that 30% of the fire is contained.  The current fire behavior is smouldering ground fire that is deep burning.  Tomorrow we plan to work on the guard on the north perimeter.  There is no new map since the outside permieter has not changed.

There are more than 300 firefighters and staff working on this fire including 16 helicopters, 6 cat units and other heavy equipment.  Firefighters are pictured below.  Alberta firefighters are in yellow and BC crews are in red.  Thanks to everyone for the hard work over the past 10 days since the initial ignition.

COLD LAKE FIRE 8

 

***EVENING UPDATE MAY 30TH, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

This fire remains classified as out of control and is 27,460 hectares.  The increase in size is due to the planned ignition and back burning we conducted yesterday.

The fire was active today on the north perimeter.  The winds were from the southeast but were shifting throughout the day, making firefighting challenging.  The fire ran a bit on the north perimeter.  We will have a new size estimate tomorrow.

Today we worked to strengthen containment lines on the perimeter with ground and air support.  We estimate the fire is about 30% contained by cat guard.  The wind prevented us from doing any further aerial ignition today.  Once the fire settles down tonight, we will assess the situation and tomorrow, winds permitting, we will be working to contain the northeast corner of the fire.

The photo below is from this afternoon.

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There are over 260 firefighters and staff fighting this fire, as well as airtankers, 18 helicopters, 6 cat units, water trucks, and various other pieces of heavy equipment.

Latest map of LWF 122 (Saturday afternoon)

COLD LAKE FIRE 7

 

***EVENING UPDATE MAY 29TH, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

This fire remains classified as out of control at 27,462 hectares. Currently there is smouldering ground fire and some torching on unburnt islands within the fire perimeter as well as along unguarded perimeter. Winds tomorrow at SE 20 will continue to try to push smoke and fire to the northwest, challenging the guard in this corner.  Ground crews and cats continue to build guard.  We estimate guard is in place around 30% of the fire.  The current dozer guard is 22 km long. Ground crews and cat units continue to construct guard, supplemented with help from ignition crews and air support.  20 km of ignition line is complete with another 20 km planned.

There are currently 240 firefighters and staff, airtankers, 18 helicopters, six cat units, water trucks and other heavy equipment working this fire.  Tomorrow 40 firefighters from BC will be joining the team on this fire.

The three images below are from this afternoon on the fire.  You can see trees candling and burning patches within the black burnt area.  You can see smoke pooling over the fire, and drifting to the northwest.

COLD LAKE FIRE1 COLD LAKE FIRE2 COLD LAKE FIRE3

This map was posted this afternoon and it is the most recent map we have.  The fire is about 2 km from the Primrose South CNRL facility, 15 km southeast of the Foster Creek facilities, 17 km northeast of the Wolf Lake area facilities and 14 km northwest of Marie Lake.

COLD LAKE FIRE4

 

***EVENING UPDATE MAY 28TH, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

This fire remains classified as out of control at 27,462 hectares. Currently there is smouldering ground fire observed over most of the fire area as well as some torching trees.  The growth in fire size reported today is largely because of the wind event last night as well as the back burning and other ignition we did on the south west flank of the fire. Today we made good progress on the northeast flank of the fire. The weather helped calm the intensity of the fire today, increasing visibility and access for the firefighters who worked hard building guard on the NE flank.   SW winds will test the guard tomorrow.  Conditions permitting, work will resume tomorrow on the west and southwest flanks.

There are more than 250 firefighters and staff fighting this fire, the airtankers, 16 helicopters, 6 cat units (18 cats/dozers total), water trucks, engines and other heavy equipment.

The photo belows shows torching trees in the smoke.  The trees are burning behind the perimeter of the fire.

COLD LAKE FIRE 4

This is the most current map

COLD LAKE FIRE 5

 

***UPDATE EVENING MAY 27TH, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

This fire is approximately 20,000 hectares and is still classified as out of control.  Crews completed a successful burnout in the southwest corner where flames escaped the guard yesterday evening.  New guard has been established in this section, which ties in to the burn out area, giving us a stronger hold on that flank of the fire.  Fire size will change once we add today’s addition.  Some growth is expected.

There was active fire today on the northwest corner.  Crews are working hard to hold this corner of the fire. We expect similar burning patterns tomorrow, as the wind continues to be from the NE at 20.  Firefighters are working to prevent fire from spreading south towards Marie Lake, and to prevent fire from crossing Ken Baker Road to the west and from reaching Foster Creek facilities to the northwest.  We will be watching to ensure the back burning and new dozer guard continue to hold the south flank. Tomorrow we plan to continue to strengthen containment lines with ground crews and air support.  We plan to work on a dozer guard on the NE flank of the fire and to continue to work on the SW dozer guard.

As the time of issuing this report, the cold front is just approaching the Burnt Lake fire.  Gusting winds are accompanying this front.  Effects from this will be in tomorrow’s update.

There are approximately 250 firefighters, staff and equipment operators working on this fire.  There are 18 helicopters working the fire and the air tankers added their support today as well.

COLD LAKE FIRE 3cold lake fire

 

cold lake fire2Cold Lake fire1

***UPDATE 2:30PM, MAY 27TH, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

This fire is 17,483 hectares and is classified as out of control.  The fire grew by about 500 hectares yesterday.  This morning there was mostly smouldering ground fire.  The dozers made good progress on constructing the guard last night.Today we are continuing to strengthen containment lines with ground crews and air support.  We’re working on the dozer guard on the NE flank of the fire as well as on the southwest flank.

There are approximately 250 firefighters, staff and equipment operators working on this fire.  There are 17 helicopters working the fire as well as the airtankers

***UPDATE 6:12AM, MAY 27TH, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

The Cold Lake Air Weapons Range fire continues to grow. Last updated the fire was at 17 483 hectares and classified as out of control.  There was active fire on the northwest and southwest corners and authorities expect similar burning patterns, as the wind continues to be from the NE at 20 gusting to 35 km/hr. Over 250 firefighters are working to prevent fire spread from moving south towards Marie Lake, and to prevent fire from crossing Ken Baker Road to the west and from reaching Foster Creek facilities to the northwest.  The south flank, with dozer guard, held well Tuesday.  The plan is to continue to strengthen containment lines with ground crews and air support.  Along with the crews on the ground, there are 17 helicopters working the fire and the air tankers added their support today as well.

 

***UPDATE 11:27AM, MAY 26TH, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES***

The Bunt Lake fire (in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range) is 17,483 hectares.  The smoke lifted last night and we were able to get a more accurate gps measurement of the fire area.  Winds today are expected out of the east.  The fire may challenge portions of the west flank of the fire.  We expect winds to be from the E or NE for the next couple of days.  This should help clear smoke out of the Cold Lake and Marie Lake areas.  Heavy equipment and crews continue to action this fire round the clock.  Today’s plan is to work on the guards on the NW and SW flanks of the fire.  Oil and gas facilities that were evacuated earlier remain shut down.  Alberta Wildfire is in contact with facilities that may be in the path of the fire.

 

***UPDATE 3:42PM MONDAY, MAY 25TH, 2015 FROM ALBERTA WILDFIRES****

The fire in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, remains out of control at 8,758 hectares.  (The size was previously reported at 10,000 hectares however that measurement was taken under very smoky conditions).  The fire is active again today, under the influence of critical weather conditions.  The wind is shifting between SW and NW. NW winds mean smoke will likely impact Marie Lake, Cold Lake and areas in the path.

Air tankers, helicopters and ground crews are actioning the fire on all fronts. Dozer guard is in place along the south flank of the fire and dozers are currently working on the east flank. A map is not available at this time.
Now is a good time to think about how well your property – homes and communities – would fare in a wildfire situation.  Make sure roofs are clear of leaves and debris.  If you have a water source and pump and hose, or water outlet, see if the hose will stretch to your roof in the event you might need to put a sprinkler on.  Mow your grass – short grass deters fire spread more than long grass.  Move firewood away from your house. 

Extra help has been called in to assist the firefighting efforts north of Cold Lake. The fire, which is has been deemed “out of control”, on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range near Burnt Lake, has spread to over 10 000 hectares. On Saturday, May 23rd, an additional 42 firefighters from Ontario have joined the team.  There are over 200 firefighters including 19 helicopters, air tankers, and heavy equipment working on this fire.  Dozers and crews will work today where it is safe to do so, with the intent to continue to contain the fire from the rear flank and limit the spread.

Cenovus Energy has evacuated all its staff and temporarily shut down their Foster Creek facility. The Foster Creek and Athabasca Gas operations remain closed and they continue to monitor the forest fire situation. There is no access to site and we are not sure how long it will be before they can safely return to restart operations. Supervisors will be contacting field staff to discuss work arrangements. Calgary and Cold Lake office staff should continue to go to work as usual. Cenovus wants to thank its staff for their understanding and patience as they deal with this evolving forest fire situation.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL) has taken precautionary measures to protect the safety of our people and our assets. Canadian Natural has evacuated workers within areas of our Primrose thermal in situ operations and completed the safe, temporary shut-in of 70,000 bbl/d of crude oil production. Canadian Natural is working together with the Department of National Defence (DND) at CLAWR to ensure the safe and orderly movement of people through the area. All workers are safe and accounted for with no reported injuries.

The Municipal District of Bonnyville has increased to a Full Fire Ban. The MD has upgraded from a fire advisory to a fire ban due to extremely dry weather, strong winds and the current wildfire burning north of Cold Lake. The ban states NO campfires (or other open fires) are allowed in campgrounds or backcountry and random camping areas. This includes charcoal briquettes. Gas or propane stoves/barbeques and portable propane fire pits are allowed. All fire permits are suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued. The County of St. Paul has also increased to a fire restriction, which means only safe contained campground fires are permitted.

Update on the pilot who has died fighting wildfire north of Cold Lake. On May 22nd, plane under contract to Alberta Environment and Sustainable Development (ESRD) crashed, causing the death of the sole occupant, the pilot. The body of the sole occupant, a 38 year old man who was piloting the plane was recovered shortly after thanks to the assistance of the Department of National Defence Search and Rescue. The deceased was a civilian pilot, operating an Air Tractor water bomber.  The next of kin have been notified and the RCMP will not be releasing the identity of the deceased.

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