While it may be the middle of summer, Mother Nature hasn’t gotten the message. All of the rain and cooler weather across the region has dropped the wildfire danger for the Grande Prairie Forest Area down to low.
However, the stormy weather has led to recent lightning storms. Wildfire information officer Kelly Burke says the province is watching for lightning holdover fires that can burn underground and move above ground when it’s warm and windy.
She adds that it’s important to make sure people don’t start wildfires on their own.
“This wildfire season the Grande Prairie Forest Area has had 29 wildfires, burning more than 13 hectares. Only six of these fires are a result of lightning; all others were human-caused and 100 percent preventable. Please do your part to prevent wildfires.”
That includes keeping off-highway vehicles clear of debris and getting a permit for any burning.