Over the next few day, the chance of ignition and high fire intensity will increase as all forest fuels continue to dry. Wildfires will start easy and have quick growth. Please Use extreme caution in forested areas. Take note of all fire bans and restriction in place for the Peace River Forested Area. Thank you for doing your part to prevent wildfire. Wildfire prevention is everyones responsibility.

If you spot a wildfire call 310-FIRE.

A wildfire continues to burn Out Of Control west of the Clearhills area ABC001 (BC Wildfire number G80068) on both sides of the British Columbia / Alberta border.

Smoke was highly visible today with smoke blowing away from Alberta. Firefighters, helicopters and air tankers worked the perimeter in both the north and the south sections of the fire today hitting hot spots and trying to keep the fire from growing larger. Success was gained in the southern section while the northern sections remain a challenge.  For updates about the British Columbia side, please visit the BC wildfire website.

Expect local smoke in the next few days. Local smoke and smoke from a wildfire fire burning west of Fort St.John will be brought to the area from south west and west winds expected in the coming days. Anyone with health concerns should check the Alberta Health Services or call 811 for 24/7 health advise from Alberta Health Link. For a smoke forecast map use  Western Canada Smoke

Today crews battle one new wildfire in the Peace Forest area today which was quickly brought to extinguisment. Every precaution needs to be taken to ensure no new preventable fires are started that will put additional strain on the province's firefighting resources.  

For your safety and the safety of firefighters, please stay clear of wildfire operations especially when aircraft are flying in the area. We appreciate your support.  

There have been a number of reports of UAV/drones flying over the fire in the Clearhills area, on both sides of the border.  Air operations have had to be grounded as a result. Before you fly your drone or UAV, make sure you understand the rules that apply and follow them. Not doing so could cost you up to $25,000 in fines. For more information, please visit:tc.gc.ca/SafetyFirst

Evacuation Preparedness Alert

Our first priority is public safety.  If an evacuation becomes necessary, those affected will be notified by the proper authorities immediately. Clearhills County has issued an evacuation preparedness alert for areas north of Highway 64 and west of secondary Highway 726 in Clear Hills County.   

Sign up for the free emergency alert app to get up to the minute alerts and updates on evacuations and other emergencies in the province pushed to your device.  

For information on how you can prepare yourself for the event that an evacuation is necessary, visit www.aema.alberta.ca/72-hour-emergency-kit. 

A fire ban is in effect for portions of northern and central Alberta. The fire ban applies to Alberta’s Forest Protection Area in northern and central Alberta and all counties, municipal districts and special areas, as well as provincial parks and recreation areas. The fire ban does not apply to cities, towns, villages, summer villages, or federal lands, such as national parks. NOTE: A county or municipal district may decide to add additional restrictions – please check your local area.

Prohibited

• All open fires, including wood campfires, charcoal briquette fires, turkey fryers, and tiki torches
• Portable propane fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbecues designed for cooking or heating are allowed.
• The use of incendiary targets

Allowed

• Gas or propane stoves/barbecues and portable propane fire pits that are CSA approved and UL certified
• Propane barbeques and stoves
• Catalytic or infrared style heaters

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Restriction

Recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) is restricted on all public lands and provincial parks within portions of northern and central Alberta, including designated OHV trails. The restriction does not apply to agriculture, public safety, commercial/industrial or Indigenous peoples when exercising a right recognized and affirmed under Part II of the Constitution Act, 1982 or a right under section 12 of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement. The restriction will remain in effect until further notice. For more information on Fire Advisories, Restrictions or Bans across the province, visit AlbertaFirebans.ca or call 1-866-FYI-FIRE (394-3473).

For information about wildfires in Alberta follow us on Twitter @ABGovWildfire or Facebook. Download the Alberta Wildfire app for Apple and Android devices. 

Kelly Burke | Area Information Coordinator
Grande Prairie Forest Area
780-538-5327 (office) | 780-832-7235 (mobile)