The Grande Prairie Forest Area remains fire free this season; however, controlled burning is underway in Sturgeon Lake to reduce the fire danger for the community.
Beginning this week, and expected until early May, Alberta Wildfire and the Sturgeon Lake Fire Department will be conducting hazard reduction burning from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during burn periods. So far, crews have successfully burned 8.38 hectares.
Officials say hazard reduction burns serve an important role in reducing the amount of dry vegetation that could ignite given the right chance, threatening homes and important infrastructure.
Alberta Wildfire maintains that burns are only being conducted under the careful watch of experts in the field, and when firefighters and resources are sufficient; as long as weather conditions remain favourable.
The wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area is still considered “low” by the province’s standards, and no new wildfires have been reported since January 1st.
