The wildfire hazard in the Grande Prairie Forest Protection Area has again been raised to high with three active fires in the region. There isn’t any significant rain in the forecast and winds gusting up to 50 kilometres an hour are expected.
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry says those conditions mean fires will start easily and are hard to control. A fire advisory has been put back in place, meaning no new fire permits will be issued and anyone with one is asked to postpone any non-essential burning. Safe campfires are still allowed.
A prescribed burn of 15 hectares was done Thursday at Saskatoon Island Park. It was intended to help rejuvenate the native species of trees and plants and get rid of invasive ones. It should also help with Saskatoon berry production for picking.