Grande Prairie Area Update (40)

The wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area is EXTREME. We are currently responding to multiple out of control wildfires in the Grande Prairie forest area.

A Red Flag Watch remains in effect due to extreme temperatures and elevated winds. A Red Flag Watch is issued in advance of critical fire danger.

Strong east winds of 25 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h, are expected in the area tomorrow. Windy conditions can contribute to the spread of fires by carrying burning debris and embers over long distances, which can ignite new fires far from the original source.

Wildfire Information

Since January 1, 2024, 58 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area burning nearly 188.64 hectares.

The Grande Prairie Forest Area have received intense lightning on Friday night that has resulted in multiple wildfire starts over the weekend. At this time, the area has 9 active wildfires in the forest protection area, four are listed as under control, three are being held and two are out of control. We are also assisting with four mutual aid fires at this time.

GWF057 - is located approximately 2.5 kilometer west of the Anti-Creek Road in the Deep Valley area and currently classified as out of control at 7.5 hectares. This wildfire is spreading away from highway 43. Today fire crews along with helicopters bucketing and air tankers worked to suppress fire behaviour on this wildfire. Overnight, heavy equipment and firefighters will work to put a dozer guard in place.

GWF058 - is located approximately 11 kilometers southwest of Gordandale, north of the Cutbank Lake. This wildfire is classified as out of control at 0.30 hectares. Firefighter and helicopters with buckets along with airtankers worked to slow fire spread.

GWF059 -this wildfire is located 15 kilometers southeast of Gordondale, north of Ksituan Lake. This wildfire is classified as being held. Firefighters are working with hand tools and pumps hose. Helicopters with buckets and airtankers helped to slow fire spread.

GCU 012 - Alberta wildfire is currently assisting Saddle Hills County with a wildfire located 1 kilometers south of Howard Creek and North of township road 790. Firefighting crews are working with the Blueberry fire department. At this time, there is no threat to homes or structures in Saddle Hills County.

GCU013 - Alberta wildfire is currently assisting Saddle Hills County with a wildfire located .2 kilometers south of Range Road 44, air tankers were able to help county fire crews. For more information check County of Grande Prairie update.

GCU010 - Alberta Wildfire assisted the County Regional Fire Service in responding to two wildfires south of Range Road 51 on the north bank of the Wapiti River. This area will be monitored by air over the next few days.

GCU009 - Alberta wildfire is assisting Saddle Hills County with a wildfire located 11 kilometers southwest of Spirit River. At this time, there is no threat to homes or structures in Saddle Hills County. For more information check out saddlehills.ab.ca.

(GWF057 July 21, 2024)

Firefighters remain on alert for new wildfires and continue to monitor existing ones. For more information on the current wildfire situation, visit Alberta Wildfire Status.

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

Fire Ban banner

A fire ban is in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Grande Prairie Forest Area, due to hot and dry conditions.

Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands (such as national parks), are exempt from this ban. These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.

Alberta Parks implements fire bans in provincial parks and recreation areas. For information on current bans within the provincial parks, visit www.albertaparks.ca.

If you are found in violation of the ban, you could be fined up to $5,000 and held liable for all firefighting costs associated with an unintended wildfire.

Visit Alberta Fire Bans to see if a fire ban or restriction is in place in your area.

Fire Ban wide

Under this fire ban:

All fire permits are suspended or cancelled.
No new fire permits will be issued.
Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.

Prohibited:

All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land, designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits.
Barbeque charcoal briquettes.
Fireworks and exploding targets.

Allowed:

Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances.
Indoor wood fires inside a structure (such as a facility, building, tent or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor.
Open flame oil devices (such as deep fryers and tiki torches). All devices must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards.

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Smoke

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.

When extreme heat and wildfire smoke events occur simultaneously, health risks from heat are more dangerous. Keeping cool should always be your priority.

Choosing the correct fire-resistant plants and materials can bring curb appeal and also help reduce your wildfire risk. FIRE-RESISTANT LANDSCAPING FOR YOUR HOME

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 July 22, 2024, unless conditions change.

Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 832-7235

kelly.burke@gov.ab.ca