Grande Prairie Area Update (23)

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

Cooler temperatures and rain are expected over the next few days. A cold front will cross our area Tuesday morning, causing a wind shift to the northwest, along with a higher risk of lightning. Smoke in the air will create cooler conditions, leading to weakened fire behavior.

Smoke from wildfires in the northern areas of the province, Saskatchewan and British Columbia may push south. Firesmoke.ca is an online tool that tracks wildfire smoke. Visit this site to view where the smoke is coming from and how long it is expected to linger. If you have health related concerns, please call Health Link at 811.

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(GWF090 - Completed dozer guard currently being held 08/12/2024)

Wildfire Information

Since January 1, 2024, 94 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area, burning nearly 409.39 hectares. Of the 94 wildfires, 79 have been extinguished, two are out of control, one has been turned over to the responsible party, six being held and six are under control.

GWF090 is currently classified as being held at 1.3 hectares. This wildfire is located 0.2 kilometers west of range road 102 and 4.4 kilometers southwest of Boone Lake. Currently, heavy equipment has 100% contained the wildfire and suppression efforts have been successful, firefighters will monitor this wildfire and scan for heat.

GWF091 is currently classified as being held at 0.2 hectares. This wildfire is located 1.25 kilometers west of spring lake road and 0.2 kilometers east of the Southeast corner of Jake Fish Lake. This wildfire is suspected to be caused by a lightning strike. Firefighters are working to extinguish this wildfire with hand tools, pump and hose.

GWF092 is currently classified as being held at 0.01 hectares. This wildfire is located 11 kilometers southeast of Ksituan Lake and 5 kilometers west of Range Road 90A. Firefighters with a helicopter and bucket are responding to this wildfire, no control issues are anticipated at this time.

GMD003 Alberta wildfire is providing assistance with 0.01 hectares wildfire in the Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133. This wildfire is located 2.0 Kilometers north is Highway 49 and approximately 13 kilometers northwest of Rycroft. This wildfire is now listed as under control.

GWF075 is currently classified as out of control at 49.2 hectares. It is located approximately 4.2 kilometers northeast of Albright Lake and 5.2 kilometers east of range road 130.

Air tanker groups continue to put water, foam and fire retardant down on this wildfire. The CL215T groups are again working from Jack Fish Lake. Crews have been working along the perimeter to reinforce the new widened guard.

Today, firefighting crews continue to work on the south flank as the night vision helicopter detected the fire spreading outside the guard. No issues with control at this time.

GWF077 is currently classified as out of control at 159 hectares. It is located approximately 6.9 kilometers south of highway 49, 2.8 kilometers west of range road 102 and 9.7 kilometers southeast of the Saddle Hills landfill. No precipitation has been observed on this wildfire.

Overnight, a night vision helicopter focused tanking on a spot fire to the south of the main burn, no other spots were detected outside of the perimeter.

Firefighting crews continue to seek out and extinguish hotspots along the perimeter. Dangerous firefighting conditions remain due to falling trees and large ash pits.

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Wildfire Airspace Restrictions

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.

For information on fire bans in Alberta, please visit AlbertaFireBans.ca or contact 311 for more information on fire bans, advisories and permits.

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A fire restriction is in place for parts (fire control zones 27-30) of the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

Under this restriction:

- Existing fire permits are restricted, suspended or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued

- Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds are allowed

Prohibited on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas:

- All outdoor wood fires

- Fires fueled exclusively by charcoal briquettes

- The use of fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed in designated campgrounds on private and public land, designated day use areas and on privately owned land:

- Safe wood campfires

- Backyard fire pits, charcoal briquette barbeques

- Propane/ natural gas-powered that is appliances CSA approved or UL certified

Never leave a campfire unattended. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until cool to the touch to ensure it is extinguished. If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire restriction will remain in effect until conditions improve.

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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 August 13, 2024, unless conditions change.

Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 832-7235

kelly.burke@gov.ab.ca