Grande Prairie Area Update

Grande Prairie Forest Area Wildfire Update - August 4, 2024 p.m

Posted on Sun, Aug 04, 2024

Alberta Wildfire is mourning the loss of a crew member who was fatally injured yesterday while responding to the wildfire in Jasper. A procession was held with firefighters, emergency responders and contractors lining the route. While we know that fighting wildfire can be a dangerous profession, it does not make a loss like this any less painful.

Our hearts are with his family, friends and colleagues.

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

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(GWF077 - Crews extinguishing hotspots along the established dozer guard 8/4/2024)

Currently Alberta Wildfire is responding to multiple out of control wildfires in the Grande Prairie forest area. An evacuation alert is in place for areas of Gundy and Gordondale.

For more information check https://www.saddlehills.ab.ca/news


Today, there is one new wildfire to report in the Grande Prairie forest area. GWF 079 is currently classified as being held at 0.1 hectares. It is located approximately 1.8 kilometers west of the D haul road and 3 kilometers east of the Smoky River. This slow moving groundfire was detected today at 6:35 p.m. and was quickly assess with no values at risk. No control issues are anticipated at this time.

GWF075 is currently classified as out of control at 25 hectares. It is located approximately 4.2 kilometers southwest of Albright Lake and 5.2 kilometers west of range road 130.

Today, CL-215T “skimmer” aircraft were operating from Jakefish Lake collecting 16 loads of water and dropping it on this wildfire. Firefighting crews and heavy equipment are working to complete a fire guard around the perimeter of this wildfire. Good progress has been made on this lightning caused wildfire. 

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.  Heavy equipment continues to build a fire guard around the perimeter with 90 % containment with dozer guard and 40% hose lay on perimeter. Work has been slower as many dangerous trees exist. Currently two firefighting crews along with two helicopters with buckets are dropping water on the fire. Firefighting efforts are favorable today as the relative humidity is high and winds are low. As of this time, no growth has been observed on this wildfire today. 

GWF078 is currently classified as under control at 0.6 hectares. It is located approximately 4.7 kilometers west of the British Columbia border and 21 Kilometers North of Highway 43. No control issues are anticipated at this time. 

GWF076 is currently classified as under 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. 

GWF074 now Under Control. 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. The wildfire was determined to be caused by lightning. No control issues are anticipated at this time. 

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Wildfire Airspace Restrictions

When you fly a drone over or near an Alberta wildfire, you’re breaking the law, endangering firefighting personnel and may cause firefighting operations to stop.

Transport Canada explicitly prohibits the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones of any size near a wildfire. Under CARS 601.15 all wildfires are considered to be automatically “flight restricted” according to the federal Canadian Aviation Regulations.

Under Alberta’s Forest and Prairie Protection Act, anyone found interfering with wildfire control efforts (including flying drones) can face an automatic court appearance.

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The CL-215T is a “skimmer” aircraft, which means it can collect water from the surface of lakes and use it to fight a wildfire. It operates effectively by refilling at nearby lakes rather than having to return to an airtanker base between drops.

During support action, airtankers use controlled drops to facilitate the support of ground control lines. This helps limit the spread of the wildfire and cools hot spots. Airtankers can dampen and lower the temperature of areas using these targeted drops.


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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, 79 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area, burning nearly 373.67 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

Wildfire Smoke
Smoke from wildfires in northeast region of British Columbia and Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from. 

 

Emergency Preparedness 

 

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Getting the right 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. 

 

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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 9, 2024, a.m.  unless conditions change.


Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 832-7235

 

 

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