The wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area remains EXTREME. This means that forest fuels are extremely dry. Fast-spreading, high-intensity fires are likely, which are very difficult to control.
Smoke and cloud cover starting to lift on GCU007 west flank. (May 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.).
Alberta Wildfire is assisting the County of Grande Prairie and the MD of Greenview with a mutual aid fire that started four km east of the town of Teepee Creek. GCU007 is 1,382 hectares and is listed as out of control. This wildfire has travelled in an eastward direction and has spread across the river for about a kilometer and burned approximately 80 hectares on the east side.
Today, Visibility has improved, and air operations has resumed. Firefighters will work to support the containment lines made by heavy equipment with bucket support operations. Fire behaviour is expected to increase today due to gusty winds and prolonged dry conditions. No precipitation is expected in the next 24 hours.
To help prevent wildfires in the coming days:
Grasses and other fine fuels can ignite quickly under windy conditions. If you are operating an off-highway vehicle (OHV) use caution, clear your hot spots, and carry a collapsible bucket and shovel. Sparks from rocks hitting heavy machinery, dragging chains and welding operations are all high-risk activities.
Do not operate equipment in tall grass and keep watch of your surroundings and ensure you have sufficient firefighting equipment and water available.
Industry is reminded that build-up of carbon within the flare stacks result in hot embers being released into surrounding dry grass. Inspect and maintain the ignition devices to ensure operation is within appropriate parameters.
Wildfire information
Since January 1, 2024, 29 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area burning nearly 180.85 hectares.
GWF029 This wildfire started 13 km northwest of the town of Valhalla. This wildfire is now listed as being held at 100 hectares. Firefighters are working with helicopters bucketing to suppress the fire today.
2023 carryover wildfires
There are currently three carryover fires from the 2023 wildfire season. All carryover wildfires are listed as under control and are being monitored by firefighters.
Smoke from British Columbia wildfires are impacting much of the provincial air operations today. To see forecasted smoke, you can visit FireSmoke.ca.
A fire ban is in place for the Grande Prairie Forest Area due to dry conditions and expected weather.
Under this ban:
• All existing fire permits are suspended (or cancelled)
• No new fire permits will be issued
Prohibited:
• All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
• Backyard firepits
• BBQ charcoal briquettes
• The use of fireworks and exploding targets
Allowed:
• Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
• Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
• Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
• All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards
If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.
The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.
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For more information: Fire Restriction Fact Sheet
- MO-015 Fire Restriction (revised boundary) and MO-016 Fire Ban map
Drones are not allowed to be flown within five nautical miles (or 9.3 kilometers) of a wildfire. If you fly a drone within this distance of a wildfire, it immediately halts aerial firefighting operations because it is not safe for aircraft to be flying with drones in the air. Interfering with wildfire control operations can land you a court appearance.
See Transport Canada's Forest fires and drones fact sheet for more information.
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Download the Alberta Wildfire app today and get access to real-time information on wildfires in your area. You can also find information on reporting wildfire, fire bans and fire updates across the province and much more all on your mobile device.
Available for Apple and Android.
To view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire
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.
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 May 11, 2024, at 3 p.m. unless conditions change.
Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer
(780) 832-7235
- Alberta Wildfire
- Alberta Fire Bans
- FireSmart in Alberta
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- Air Quality Health Index
- Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
- 511 Road Reports
- Emergency Preparation
Subscribe to the Grande Prairie Forest Area wildfire update to receive an email when new information is posted.
Phone: 1-866-394-3473