Grande Prairie Area Update

The wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area remains EXTREME.

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. The Kleskun Creek Fire/GCU 007 is 1,382 hectares and is listed as out of control. 

Today, firefighters have experience challenging fire behavior with high winds, at times the fire was very active with visible smoke columns and flame. Firefighters were successful in suppressing the fire as no growth has been observed outside the perimeter. 

Tonight, a night vision helicopter will work on this wildfire along with a wildfire crew and heavy equipment to secure perimeter on priority hotspots. Tomorow additional firefighting resources will be arriving to help cold trail* and extinguish hotspots and work to extinguish the fire. 

 *Cold Trailing: A method of determining whether or not a fire is still burning, involving careful inspection and feeling with the hand, or by use of a hand-held infrared scanner, to detect any heat source.

Prevent wildfires 

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, 30 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area burning nearly 182.30 hectares. 

GWF030 was detected 40 kilometers south of Grande Prairie. This wildfire is now listed as under control at 0.25 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 continue to extinguish hotspots within the perimeter of the fire. There are 28 firefighters working with pump and hose, hand tools and a helicopter bucketing hotspots within the perimeter boundaries.

Night vision helicopters

Led by trained firefighters these helicopters are used to fight wildfires at night. Each helicopter is equipped with a snorkel and a tank. They can draw water from shallow water sources with depths ranging from 20 to 30 inches and the tanks have holding capacities of 900 to 3700 litres.

2023 carryover wildfires

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.

• 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.

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

Status Dashboard

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Preparing in advance can keep you safe and comfortable, and help you get back to your normal life and work more quickly. It also helps others because emergency responders can focus on helping those who need it the most.

 

Find active alerts, archived alerts, and details about the Alberta Emergency Alert system here. Albertans who require assistance can call 310-4455 for wildfire related information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Translation services are available to provide information services in languages other than English.

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 13, 2024, at 9 a.m. unless conditions change.

Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer

• 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