FORT CHIPEWYAN — While there is only one active wildfire in the Fort McMurray Forest Area and it is already under control, a much larger wildfire remains active inside nearby Wood Buffalo National Park.
Parks Canada said Monday the Klewi Complex wildfire, located on the northeastern side of the park near the Whooping Crane nesting area, has grown to an estimated 52,154 hectares and remains classified as out of control.
Despite its size, officials say the fire does not currently threaten any communities, infrastructure or cabins.
The wildfire is located approximately 21 kilometres northeast of Highway 5 and is being fought by 192 personnel supported by 13 helicopters.
Parks Canada said wildfire response efforts continue to make progress, with about 330 kilometres of the fire’s approximately 397-kilometre perimeter now classified as contained or controlled.
Officials said warm, dry weather has helped crews identify and target the few remaining areas of fire activity before full containment can be achieved.
Infrared drone scans conducted along 52 kilometres of the southwest perimeter identified only two hotspots requiring additional action. Similar scanning operations are planned for portions of the north and east perimeter in the coming days.
Parks Canada noted the wildfire’s mapped size has remained unchanged, although perimeter measurements continue to be refined as additional satellite imagery and mapping data become available.
Elsewhere in the park, three other active wildfires remain under their previous classifications with no change in size. Crews conducting surveys reported low or no fire behaviour on those fires.
Structural protection measures remain in place around cabins at Isidore Lake as a precaution, although officials say there is currently no threat to communities, infrastructure or cabins.
Six other wildfires in Wood Buffalo National Park have now been declared extinguished.
The fire danger rating across the park remains very high.
Parks Canada said updates on the Klewi Complex will now be issued Monday, Wednesday and Friday as fire activity stabilizes and crews continue progressing toward containment objectives.
The update comes as Alberta Wildfire reported one active wildfire in the Fort McMurray Forest Area, designated MWF026, which is classified as under control.
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