The wildfire hazard for the Grande Prairie region is currently LOW. Even with a low hazard it is important to do your part to prevent wildfire.
Fire Bans and OHV Restrictions
Based on current conditions throughout Alberta the province has cancelled the provincial OHV and fire ban in all areas. These conditions can change quickly and counties and municipalities may still have bans or restrictions in effect.
To stay current on fire bans throughout the province please check Alberta Fire Bans for the most up-to-date information.
Put Out Your Campfire
Make sure your campfire is fully extinguished. A campfire can burn deep into the ground and flare up again in dry or windy weather. Soak the ashes and stir them. Keep soaking the ashes until they are cool to the touch. Even if you are going for a short hike - make sure your campfire is out.
Whenever possible use existing facilities such as stoves, rings and pits for your campfire. These are provided for your convenience and safety and are intended to help prevent wildfires. If you are camping in a park be sure to check the rules and guidelines and follow them.
If there are no campfire facilities available ensure that you are building your campfire on level ground in a spot that is away from dry grass, heavy bush, leaves, logs, tree trunks, peat areas, overhanging branches or any other ground debris.
Always keep a large container of water nearby to extinguish your fire. Learn more here.
How do Off-highway vehicles start wildfires? Off-highway vehicle (OHV) exhaust is extremely hot, reaching temperatures of 204 Celsius, the flash point for most forest fuels. When riders travel through wet areas, muskeg can build up on the exhaust and next to the engine hot spots. As the rider travels, the muskeg dries out and is ignited by the hot engine. These burning pieces of muskeg fall off into dry grass causing a wildfire.
Thanks for doing your part to prevent wildfire. If you spot a wildfire call 310-FIRE
For more information contact:
Melinda Paplawski | Wildfire Information Officer
Grande Prairie Forest Area
Melinda.Paplawski@gov.ab.ca
(780) 933-1929