Wildfire danger still extreme near High Level
Posted May 29, 2019 6:48 am.
Last Updated May 29, 2019 1:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HIGH LEVEL (660 NEWS) – It is already a bad situation, and now the province is elevating the wildfire danger near High Level.
The danger for that region is rated extreme and that has led to the red flag warning.
This warning suggests there’s potential for fires to blow up in boreal forest areas.
The forecast for Wednesday is not favourable for crews battling the out-of-control wildfires. It calls for hot, dry and windy conditions.
Fortunately, the winds are pushing the fire away from the town as residents still await word on when they can return.
Unfortunately, a Highway 35 north of the town has been closed.
The latest update pegs the size of the fire at 1,300 square kilometres and about 5,000 people have been out of the town and surrounding areas for more than a week.
The smoke, however, is so thick in places it’s restricting the ability to get water bombers to some of the hot spots.
It’s expected the smoke will continue to drift south as Environment Canada forecasts the Air Quality Index for Calgary at five for Tuesday, which is a moderate risk.
Although there have been fewer wildfires so far compared to the five-year average, the fires currently burning have torched nearly double the area, more than 2200 square km.
WATCH: High Level wildfire continues to grow
The Chuckegg Creek fire, currently the largest in the province, is still about three kilometres southwest of High Level, where crews have created a firebreak to protect the community.
With files from The Canadian Press and CityNews
