Grande Prairie Area Update May 5, 2023

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

Wildfire Situation | May 5, 2023 | 8:00 P.M.

There are six wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area classified as Out of Control (OC). To see all wildfires on a map please click here.

GWF017 was detected on May 5 and is located 6 km West of Valleyview. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and estimated to be 1000 ha in size. This wildfire is located on both sides of Highway 43 and municipal structural protection is assisting with this wildfire.

GWF 018 was detected on May 5 and is located 15 km east of Cleardale. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and estimated to be 2000 ha in size.

GWF019 is located 21km west of Hwy 40 50 km South of Grande Prairie. This fire is classified as out of control (OC) and estimated to be 7,500 ha in size.

GWF020 located 10km was detected on April 29 and is located 18 km south of Grande prairie. It is now classified as out of control (OC) and estimated to be 50 ha in size.

GCU003 we are assisting the County of Grande prairie with a mutual aid wildfire in the dunes area 8 km southeast of Dimsdale. This wildfire is estimated to be 400 ha in size.

GMD001 we are assisting with a mutual aid wildfire with the MD of Greenview this fire is located 9.5 km south of Rycroft this wildfire is estimated 50 ha in size.

Alberta Emergency Alert has issued evacuation notices for:

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and M.D. of Greenview. This alert is in effect for everyone in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and Sandy Bay. Everyone north of Highway 43 and east Youngs Point Road, including Cozy Cove and Boyd's Lakeshore Properties.

The County of Grande Prairie has updated a wildfire alert. The evacuation area has been expanded to include all residents from Township Road 710 south to the Wapiti River and Highway 40 to Range Road 73. There is an out of control wildfire that is threatening structures in the affected area.

Wildfire Alert in Saddle Hills County. There is an out of control wildfire burning in Saddle Hills County, in the Fourth Creek area, between Township road 840 and the Peace River, between Range Rd 75 and Range Rd 85.

If you need help evacuating call 780-524-3345. Updates on www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert and local media.

For the an accurate forecast of wildfire smoke, go to FIRESMOKE CANADA for hourly ground-level concentration of smoke particles from wildfires.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue and will challenge firefighters and aircraft. The weather forecast is calling for a temperature of 28 degrees, a relative humidity of 20 per cent and winds southeast 35 km/h gusting up to 50 km/h.

Find wildfire forecasts, weather maps and information about how fire danger is monitored in Alberta https://www.alberta.ca/fire-weather-and-forecasts.aspx

Fire Ban wide

FIRE BAN AND OHV RESTRICTION IN EFFECT

A fire ban and OHV restriction is in effect within the Forest Protection Area due to extreme fire danger.

Under this fire 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

The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands, including designated OHV trails

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

Indigenous people when using an OHV for traditional purposes. Traditional purposes are hunting, fishing, and trapping – including the use of an OHV to travel to the location(s) for these purposes.

Essential industry-related activities requiring the use of OHVs.

Off-highway vehicle use is still permitted on private lands.

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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