The wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area has been bumped up to high and a fire advisory is in place. According to Alberta Wildfire officials high wind gusts in the Grande Prairie region are expected to continue and could cause fires to grow rapidly and “cause extreme fire behaviour.”
Along with the wildfire risk increase, the northern part of the Grande Prairie forest area is under a fire restriction, while the remainder of the forest area is under a fire advisory. In areas where there is a restriction in place existing fire permits are restricted, cancelled or suspended and no new permits are being issued.
Fire permits are still valid in areas under advisory, but new permits in these areas will be looked at on a case-by-case basis, and no heavy-fuel fire permits will be issued. Users are being warned that they may be suspended or cancelled if dry conditions continue. Any burning without a valid fire, other than a campfire, without a valid permit, is prohibited. However, things like safe wood campfires, backyard fire pits, and portable propane fire pits are still allowed.
Since the beginning of the year, 19 wildfires have been reported in the forest area, burning nearly 80 hectares. Fifteen of those fires reportedly have since been put out and two are listed as being turned over to the local party and the remaining pare are under control.