High temperatures and dry conditions mixed with up to 20 kilometre an hour winds forecasted for later Monday night are expected to create challenging conditions for crews fighting the Dunes West Wildfire. According to the latest update from the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership, the next 24 hours will be critical and play a major role in determining the timeline for when residents possibly can return home.
As of Sunday night crews had completed the fire guard around the perimeter of the Dunes West Wildfire, which is estimated to be 1,581 hectares in size; with structures on the east of the fire being protected by sprinkler protection lines put in place. According to the GPREP update “Fire Operations is focusing on the Spring Creek area today, as well as hot spots throughout the evacuation area.”
Environment Canada has also issued an air quality statement for the Grande Prairie region with the air quality index being 10+ which is extreme, as a result of smoky conditions due to wildfires throughout Alberta and British Columbia.
As of 12:00 p.m. Monday, most residents living in the area of Township Road 710 south to the Wapiti River between Range Road 63 and Range Road 75 remain on an Evacuation Order.