Grande Prairie Area Update (68)

The wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area is MODERATE.

Widespread rain has brought relief to the wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

The County of Grande Prairie as well as the City of Grande Prairie have lifted the fire ban and are now under restrictions. A fire ban remains in place for the Grande Prairie Forest Protection Area. View all current fire restrictions and bans in place across the province at www.albertafirebans.ca

Wildfire danger is based on a number of factors, like the moisture content of fine fuels such as leaves, needles and small twigs. In Alberta, the hazard is historically highest in the spring months after the snow has melted and the moisture evaporated, before trees and grass have started growing. The fire season is therefore divided into three periods spring, summer and fall.

This week, the Grande Prairie Forest Area has begun to experience that growing *green up process. Green up, a term used by the wildfire crews to indicate a change in moisture content of the grass and leafing out of the trees. The fire season is moving from the spring hazard of dead dry grass into summer. At this time of year, lightning fires are common. It's important now to be extra careful with fire and limit the number of human caused wildfires.

To report wildfires call 310-FIRE(3473).

*Green up: Beginning of a new cycle of plant growth.

HAC 2024

*The Kleskun Creek Fire: GH01 firefighters 2024)

Wildfire Smoke

Smoke from wildfires in northeast region of British Columbia and Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from and to view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Wildfire information

Since January 1, 2024, 31 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area burning nearly 182.30 hectares.

Alberta Wildfire continues to assist the County of Grande Prairie 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 now being held. This fire has received over 20 millimeters of rain in the past 36 hours.

GWF029 This wildfire started 13 km northwest of the town of Valhalla. This wildfire is now listed as being held at 100 hectares. This wildfire did receive some rain in the past 24 hours that has helped firefighter extinguish hotspots within the interior of the fire.

2022 OHV Can cause wildfires Dirt Bike .

2023 carryover wildfires

There are currently three carryover fires from the 2023 wildfire season. All carryover wildfires are listed as under control and are being monitored by firefighters.

Fire Ban wide

A fire ban is in place for the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

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

wildfire app (2)

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

Get alerts by downloading the Alberta Emergency Alert app and visit Alerts and ad visories 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 20, 2024, unless conditions change.

Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer

(780) 832-7235

kelly.burke@gov.ab.ca