The wildfire danger for the Grande Prairie Forest Area went from being considered moderate to “very high” over the weekend.
According to Alberta Wildfire, crews are actively responding to numerous out-of-control wildfires in the Saddle Hills County area. The new fires were detected on Sunday after a storm moved through the area and produced dry lightning. Officials suggest cloud-to-ground lightning can strike the dry surface material and spark a wildfire.
Additionally, crossover conditions are expected in the coming days. Officials explain crossover occurs when the relative humidity is less or equal to the temperature, and serves as an indicator of extreme burning. Warm and windy conditions are also expected for the next few days.
Since the beginning of the year, 93 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area, burning around 383 hectares.
Of the reported wildfires, 78 have been extinguished, five are listed as out-of-control, one has been turned over to the responsible party, and six are listed as under control.
