Grande Prairie Area Update

Grande Prairie Forest Area Wildfire Update - February 22, 2017

Posted on Wed, Feb 22, 2017

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Fire Season begins in one week - March 1, 2017.

Protecting Albertans from the threat of wildfire is one of our highest priorities. That’s why March 1 is now legislated as the start of wildfire season. See the announcement here.

As of March 1, 2017 any burning larger than a small cooking or warming fire within the Forest Protection Area will once again require a permit. Phone (780) 538-5560 for more information on obtaining permits for the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

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The current wildfire hazard for the Grande Prairie region is LOW. There are no active wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area. Since the 2016 wildfire season ended on October 31 firefighters have responded to and extinguished two wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area which burned a combined 0.11 hectares.

Throughout the province a total of 1356 fires burned 611,476.52 hectares in the 2016 wildfire season.

If you spot smoke or fire in forested areas call 310-FIRE immediately to report it.

Just because there is snow on the ground doesn’t mean you can’t start a wildfire.

Winter campfires can burn deep into the ground even underneath the snow and ice. Given the right conditions these fires can then emerge in the spring after the snow melts and the grass dries and start a wildfire when the hazard is often very high.

These spring fires can easily be prevented by taking the time to properly extinguish winter campfires. Use water or snow to soak the fire, stir it up, and soak it again. If you can still feel heat coming from the fire it is not extinguished.

Winter Burning

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Fire permits are not required in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta between October 31 and March 1. Once wildfire season begins on March 1, 2017 all burning (except campfires) in the Forest Protection Area will require a permit. If you have ongoing burning which will not be extinguished by this date please contact our Grande Prairie office at (780) 538-5560 to obtain a permit.

Ensure your winter burning is completely extinguished. Check your burn sites for smoke, flame or smouldering. Stir up the debris and search for hot spots that may be buried in the debris or even in the ground and use water or snow to soak it, stir it, and soak it again. Return to check the burn site and ensure that there is no lingering heat or smoke.

Find more information on safe burning practices for brush piles and windrows here.

Get the most up-to-date wildfire information for the entire province by downloading the Alberta Wildfire app for Android or Apple devices.

Connect with Alberta Wildfire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information contact:

Melinda Paplawski | Wildfire Information Officer
Grande Prairie Forest Area
Mobile: (780) 933-1929
Melinda.Paplawski@gov.ab.ca

 

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