Next week if you see smoke and fire near the GP Weyerhaeuser Mill South east of the City, it is just a controlled burn. Starting on April 13th, the County of Grande Prairie, the province, and Weyerhaeuser will be doing the burn to reduce the risk of wildfires. A controlled burn will be set near the railway tracks in that area.
County Fire Marshal Ken Atamanchuk says this will promote community safety but also provide training in a controlled environment for emergency personnel and wildland firefighters. They will be burning grass along the rail way tracks.
Residents and business in the area may see and smell the smoke for a short period of time. There will also be fire trucks and equipment in the area.
It is part of the County’s Wildfire Mitigation Strategy to reduce the risk of wildfires.
If there is high winds or rain, it may be postponed to a later date.