Grande Prairie Area Update

The wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area is VERY HIGH.  

A Red Flag Watch remains in effect. A Red Flag Watch is issued in advance of critical fire danger. East winds of 25 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h, are expected today. Windy conditions can contribute to the spread of fires by carrying burning debris and embers over long distances, which can ignite new fires far from the original source. 

Wildfire Information

Since January 1, 2024, 59 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area burning nearly 201.10 hectares.  

The Grande Prairie Forest Area have received intense lightning on Friday night that has resulted in multiple wildfire starts over the weekend.  At this time, the area has 9 active wildfires in the forest protection area, five are listed as under control, three are being held and one is out of control.  We are also assisting with four mutual aid fires at this time. 

GWF057 - is located approximately 2.5 kilometer west of the Anti-Creek Road in the Deep Valley area and currently classified as out of control at 6.9 hectares. This wildfire is burning away from highway 43. Overnight, heavy equipment completed a dozer guard around the perimeter of the fire. Today, firefighters will use pump and hose and hand tools to extinguish remaining hotspots. 

GWF058 - is located approximately 11 kilometers southwest of Gordandale, north of the Cutbank Lake. This wildfire is classified as being held at 0.9 hectares. Firefighters will continue to work with helicopters to suppress this wildfire. Access for heavy equipment and water trucks are poor. 

GWF059 -this wildfire is located 15 kilometers southeast of Gordondale, north of Ksituan Lake. This wildfire is classified as being held at 0.02 hectares. Firefighters were able to make good progress with this wildfire and stop the spread. No control issues anticipated at this time. 

GCU 012 - Alberta wildfire is currently assisting Saddle Hills County with a wildfire located one kilometer south of Howard Creek and North of township road 790. Firefighting crews are working with the Blueberry fire department. At this time, there is no threat to homes or structures in Saddle Hills County.

GCU013 - Alberta wildfire is currently assisting the County of Grande Prairie with a wildfire located two kilometers south of Range Road 44. Multiple spot fires and vigorous surface fires prompted quick action. Helicopters bucketed and air tankers were able to drop retardant and blanket the fire completely. For more information check County of Grande Prairie update.

GCU010 - Alberta Wildfire assisted the County Regional Fire Service in responding to two wildfires south of Range Road 51 on the north bank of the Wapiti River. This area will be monitored by air over the next few days.

GCU009 - Alberta wildfire is assisting Saddle Hills County with a wildfire located 11 kilometers southwest of Spirit River. At this time, there is no threat to homes or structures in Saddle Hills County. For more information check out saddlehills.ab.ca.

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.

A fire ban is in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Grande Prairie Forest Area, due to hot and dry conditions.

Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands (such as national parks), are exempt from this ban. These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.

Alberta Parks implements fire bans in provincial parks and recreation areas. For information on current bans within the provincial parks, visit www.albertaparks.ca.

If you are found in violation of the ban, you could be fined up to $5,000 and held liable for all firefighting costs associated with an unintended wildfire. 

Visit Alberta Fire Bans to see if a fire ban or restriction is in place in your area.

Under this fire ban:

• All fire permits are suspended or cancelled.

• No new fire permits will be issued.

• Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.

Prohibited:

• All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land, designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits.

• Barbeque charcoal briquettes.

• Fireworks and exploding targets.

Allowed:

• Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances.

• Indoor wood fires inside a structure (such as a facility, building, tent or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor.

• Open flame oil devices (such as deep fryers and tiki torches). All devices must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards.

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) is the area within 30 metres of your home and structures. It is made up of three priority areas: The Immediate Zone, Intermediate Zone, and Extended Zone. Learn more about the HIZ and how you can reduce your risk, in our FireSmart Begins at Home Guide.

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 July 23, 2024, unless conditions change.

Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer

• Alberta Wildfire
• Alberta Fire Bans
• FireSmart in Alberta
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  Phone: 1-866-394-3473