The wildfire hazard in the Grande Prairie Wildfire Management Area has been increased to Very High. As temperatures across the region reach upwards of 29 degrees and wind gusts more than 40 kilometres an hour, a wildfire can start easily and spread quickly.
One sparked today just north of the Cutbank River, closing Highway 40. So far this season, the region has seen relatively little action, with 43 wildfires burning less than 79 hectares of land.
Anyone spending time in the Forest Protection Area this weekend is asked to be vigilant, bringing firefighting equipment and never leaving a campfire unattended. A fire advisory remains in effect.