Grande Prairie Area Update

Grande Prairie Forest Area Wildfire Update - September 20, 2024

Posted on Fri, Sep 20, 2024

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The fire danger is moderate. This means that if a wildfire were to occur it would exhibit creeping or gentle surface fire due to cooler temperatures. 

To report smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473). 


Wildfire Situation

So far this year, 105 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area, burning nearly 434 hectares, three are listed as under control and all others have been extinguished. Of the 104 wildfires, 54 of them are consider lightning caused and 46 are human caused, 5 remain under investigation.

The wildfire dashboard provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, sizes, locations and more.

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Fire Permits

During wildfire season, you are required to have a fire permit to burn within the Forest Protection Area (FPA), with the exception of a campfire. 

 Albertans can request a free fire permit by contacting their local forestry office or using the online Fire Permit Portal. Contact your local fire guardian or visit a Forestry office for a permit. Albertans living outside the FPA must contact their municipality or local authority for more information about fire permit requirements for burning. If you are planning on burning debris, it’s important to keep safe burning practices top of mind. Check your burn site for heat multiple times in the following weeks to ensure it has not reignited.

Spirit River                      (780) 814 1983

Valleyview                       (780) 524 6576

County West                   (780) 814 1648


Wildfire Prevention

Hunting season is here and it is important to remember that off-highway vehicle exhausts are extremely hot, and can quickly reach temperatures of over 200 Celsius. These temperatures will dry out even wet, muddy debris quickly. This smoking debris can potentially start a wildfire when it drops from the vehicle into the dry grass.

You can prevent this by stopping regularly to clean off any debris that has built up near the exhaust and muffler, under the seat, in wheel wells and around the engine. Carry a small extinguisher or a bucket and collapsible shovel to ensure that any hot debris is completely extinguished before you leave it.

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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 September 24 , 2024, unless conditions change.

 

Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 832-7235

 

 

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