Grande Prairie Area Update

Grande Prairie Forest Area Wildfire Update - August 3, 2024

Posted on Sat, Aug 03, 2024

gfx-hsb-wildfiredangerupdate-high.jpg

The wildfire danger for the Grande Prairie Forest Area is HIGH.  

Currently Alberta Wildfire is responding to multiple out of control wildfires in the Grande Prairie forest area.

GWF077_Emile Desnoyers_02

(GWF 077 - August 3, 2024 at 7:41 p.m.)

GWF074 now being held. It's located 8 km south of Moonshine Lake and 7.5 Kilometers west of highway 49.  The fire is estimated to be 0.3 ha in size. Currently 16 firefighters and 2 aircraft are working to contain this wildfire. The wildfire was determined to be caused by lightning.

GWF075 is currently classified as out of control at 10 hectares. It is located approximately 4.2 kilometers southwest of Albright Lake and 5.2 kilometers west of range road 130. The fire is moving southeast and expected to shift to the northeast overnight. Airtankers have been using long-term retardant to hold the fire until crews and heavy equipment arrive early tomorrow. 

GWF076 is currently classified as out of control at 0.2 hectares. It is located approximately 4.5 kilometers north of highway 59 and 7.4 kilometers west of Martin Lake. The County of Grande Prairie is assisting with this wildfire and no control issues are anticipate at this time. This wildfire is currently under investigation. 

GWF077 is currently classified as out of control at 150 hectares. It is located approximately 6.9 kilometers south of highway 49, 2.8 kilometers west of range road 102 and 9.7 kilometers southeast of the Saddle Hills landfill.  Currently two firefighting crews along with two helicopters with buckets are dropping water on the fire. Air tankers continue to work to drop retardant on the perimeter.  

GWF078 is currently classified as being held at 0.6 hectares. It is located approximately 4.7 kilometers west of the British Columbia border and 21 Kilometers North of Highway 43.  Wind is shifting east to west expected to shift from the north overnight. The County of Grande Prairie is assisting with this wildfire along with 11 firefighters and one intermediate helicopter. No control issues are anticipated at this time. 


Fire Restriction banner

A fire restriction is in place for the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

Under this restriction:

- Existing fire permits are restricted, suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be   issued

- Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds are allowed

 

Prohibited on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas:

- All outdoor wood fires

- Fires fueled exclusively by charcoal briquettes

- The use of fireworks and exploding targets

 

Allowed in designated campgrounds on private and public land, designated day use areas and on privately owned land:

- Safe wood campfires

- Backyard fire pits, charcoal briquette barbeques

- Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances CSA approved or UL certified

 

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished.

If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

 

Wildfire Information

Since January 1, 2024, 73 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area, burning nearly 200 hectares. The potential for numerous lightning-caused fires will continue to be a concern over the next few days. Report wildfires immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473). 

Firefighters remain on alert for new wildfires and continue to monitor existing ones. For more information on the current wildfire situation, visit Alberta Wildfire Status

For an accurate forecast of wildfire smoke, go to FIRESMOKE CANADA for hourly ground-level concentration of smoke particles from wildfires.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE SITUATION (as of 10 a.m., August 1, 2024)

Since January 1, 2024 in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, there have been 1009 wildfires burning a total of 561,780 (ha).


 

AEMA

 

Getting the information at the right time helps you respond quickly and appropriately. Get alerts by downloading the Alberta Emergency Alert app and visit alerts and advisories to learn what other alerting services are available.

Visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx for information on Evacuations and Alerts.

Download the Alberta Emergency Alert App: Apple  or  Google Play


With the August Long Weekend right around the corner, Alberta Wildfire would like to remind anyone heading out to our forested areas to be responsible. Many areas of the province are under fire advisories, restrictions, and bans. Make sure to check the area you are going to ensure fires are permitted and be prepared if they are not. Propane fire pits are still allowed during a fire ban but wood burning fires are not. The wildfire danger is growing in the province so be on high alert. If you are having a campfire, never leave it unattended and ensure it is fully extinguished before you leave. To report wildfires in the province’s forested areas, call 310-FIRE. 


When wildfire danger is low to moderate, updates will be issued weekly. However, when the danger escalates to high or extreme levels, updates will be provided daily if fires are active and/or out of control.

Expect your next wildfire update on August 7, 2024, unless conditions change.


Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 832-7235

 

 

Subscribe to Grande Prairie Area Updates