Going into the long weekend, the wildfire hazard for the Grande Prairie region remains very high. Wildfire information officer Melinda Paplawski says the high winds we’ve been getting are expected to continue, with gusts up to 50 kilometres an hour in the forecast.
“As we head into the long weekend it is important that everyone exercise caution when camping or recreating in forested areas as the current conditions could allow a wind-driven fire to spread quickly.”
Paplawski adds that this is the time of year when grass starts to cure, which means a greater risk of a wildfire sparking in large, dry areas. While there is no fire advisory in effect, any requests for burning heavy fuels will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
If camping or spending time in a forested area this weekend, check the hot spots on your off-highway vehicle and make sure to remove any debris. Never leave a campfire unattended, and make sure it’s fully extinguished before leaving.