Following the quick reaction of the Grande Prairie Fire Department in bringing a blaze in the area of Crystal Lake Park under control, GPFD Chief Mark VanWerkhoven has provided an update on the situation thus far.
Chief VanWerkhoven says the fire department responded in “short order” with eight fire apparatus and numerous personnel on the scene, along with support from the RCMP and EMS.
The GPFD was made aware of the wildfire around 6:00 p.m. the evening of May 26th and crews quickly established a line; however, no structures were threatened and the line was unused.
“We did preemptively create a defensive line between the structures and the park, but it was not required and crews were able to action the fire prior to it reaching that defensive line,” VanWerkhoven says.
The blaze was brought under control shortly after 8:00 p.m. later that evening, and crews remain onsite actioning hotspots, along with fire investigators; however, the cause of the blaze has not yet been confirmed.
The Fire Chief says access to the park could be limited due to the ongoing operations in the area, but much of the damage is deep within the park and would be difficult to access regardless of a resident’s desire to visit the area.
VanWerkhoven adds that he is “grateful” for the numerous 9-1-1 calls reporting the fire, and asks residents to remain diligent in reporting wildfires as soon as they are seen.
“The GPFD is grateful for the diligence of the residents who called 911 immediately, which allowed us to access that fire quickly and effectively,” he says.
Fire conditions for the Grande Prairie region remain unfavorable in some areas from being classified as “low” south of the river and are described as being “very high” to the west of the city.
“This is also a good reminder that despite the recent rain, our local conditions require extreme care with anything that could be a source of ignition,” VanWerkhoven says. “Some areas got much more rain than others.”
As a result, VanWerkhoven and the GPFD urge caution among residents as the city gets deeper into the wildfire season, and reminds residents that the city is “not out of the woods yet.”
