The County of Grande Prairie says they are prioritizing wildfire prevention in the new year after “unseasonably warm” temperatures and dry conditions continue throughout the region.
According to the county, the threat of wildfire has become an “even greater threat” than ever before in western Canada, and plans to mitigate any further risk will be in place ahead of the warm season.
Firebreaks and guards have been established around the county in Dunes West, and in the Southeast. Additionally, the county’s wildfire mitigation strategy established in 2015 has resulted in vegetation management projects taking place in three “priority” areas in the Dunes and Aspen Ridge areas, Southeast of Bear Creek, and Highway 40 West.
Additionally, county council directed administration to apply for a $50,000 Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta grant for FireSmart planning to update the mitigation strategy and continue vegetation management work.
Residents are also being encouraged to sign up for a free FireSmart assessment to help reduce wildfire risk on private property after a reported 176 resident-caused wildfires in 2023.
