August 9 data from the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard show there are currently 89 active wildfires and eight mutual aid wildfires burning in Alberta forests.
One of those fires, HWF-058-2023 in the High Level Forest Area, had an out of control wildfire status. The estimated area was 39575 Ha, with the general cause considered to be lightning.
Currently, there are 35 wildfires being held and 55 wildfires under control.
Of the active wildfires, nine were suspected to be caused by humans, 66 were suspected to be caused by lightening, and 16 are still under investigation.
One wildfire of note is a part of the Basset complex and includes HWF-058, which is located 13 km northwest of Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement and is classified as out of control at 39,575 hectares. PWF-067 is located 18 km from the intersection of the Keg River Highway and Highway 35 and 695 intersection and is classified as out of control at 5,248 hectares. PWF-079 is classified as under control at 3 hectares.
This year has not yet been the busiest wildfire season in Alberta. The 2023 season ranks third in a five-year comparison. In 2018 there were 1,109 wildfires while 2019 was the second-highest year with 1,074 wildfires.
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