Grande Prairie Area Update

Grande Prairie Forest Area Wildfire Update May 20, 2020

Posted on Wed, May 20, 2020

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WILDFIRE UPDATE

The wildfire danger is LOW in the Grande Prairie Forest Area. Since March 1, there have been 15 wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area, burning more than 9.0 hectares. 

For more information on the wildfire situation across the province of Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca.

Report Wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3743)

FIRE BAN IN EFFECT

As part of Alberta Wildfire's response plan to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, a fire ban was issued for the Forest Protection Area of Alberta effective April 15th at 2:00 pm. 

The fire ban in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta remains in effect. The province is trying to eliminate as many potential human-caused wildfires as possible at this time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic response and the possibility of reduced firefighter availability. Firefighters appreciate your cooperation with this measure and your efforts to prevent human-caused wildfires. 

Reducing human-caused wildfires helps keep our firefighting resources focused where they are most needed, especially when our firefighting resources may be challenged due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more details, please read below or visit www.albertafirebans.ca.

Prohibited
• outdoor wood fires
• backyard firepits (in the Forest Protection Area)
• barbeques with charcoal briquettes

Allowed
• propane / natural gas powered appliances
• open flame CSA approved oil devices
• indoor wood fires 


** All devices must be CSA approved and used as per manufacturer standards. An indoor wood fire is a fire inside a structure (such as a building, tent, or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor. Users are still responsible for care and attendance of all devices and should reduce their use during fire restrictions and bans. Approved activities or devices will not prevent potential prosecution or litigation if the user or dev

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OHV RESTRICTION LIFTED

Because of the precipitation in many areas of the province, the off-highway vehicle restriction in effect in the High Level Forest Area, the Peace River Forest Area, the northwestern part of Slave Lake and the rural areas surrounding Fort McMurray has been lifted. This restriction can be phased back in if needed to address wildfire risk area-by-area. We will continue to evaluate the situation daily. 

If you choose to drive an off-highway vehicle in Alberta’s forested areas please remember:

  • OHV exhausts can get very hot, reaching temperatures of over 200 Celsius, causing debris caught near the exhaust to become superheated. This debris can potentially start a wildfire when it falls to the ground.
  • It is crucial for Albertans to stop and check OHVs and the ground for any debris that may have fallen.
  • Before you ride, clean any debris that has built up near the exhaust and muffler, under the seat, in wheel wells and around the engine.
  • Always carry a small fire extinguisher, a collapsible shovel and water. These tools can help extinguish a wildfire and safely dispose of hot debris.

Please visit AlbertaFireBans.ca for a map of the affected area

 

Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer
Mobile: (780) 832 7235
kelly.burke@gov.ab.ca

Phone: 1-866-394-3473

 

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