The wildfire in Wood Buffalo near the Whooping Crane nesting area is currently estimated to be 53,000 hectares in size and remains out of control. Aircraft operations were halted today because of weather conditions and safety concerns. Rainfall brought some level of reduced fire activity. There were no new fires reported as of this afternoon. Crews observed lowered fire behaviour overall, but are concerned about hot spots located on the fire’s border. Currently, 176 personnel, 15 helicopters and 6 fuel bowsers are being mobilized in response to fire located about 22 km northeast of Highway 5. The fire was last estimated to be 53,124 hectares in size. Crews said a 200-foot ceiling between the treetops and cloud cover have complicated the response. …Today, firefighters continued evaluations of the wildfire situation and prepared for team transitions. …Scans yesterday taken by crews showed that there are hundreds of hot spots along the south border of the fire.