UPDATE # 6 – May 5th, 5:30 p.m.
Residents forced from their homes on Sunday will be able to head back to their own property tonight as the evacuation order connected to the Deer Ridge Estates wildfire has been lifted. Fire officials say crews will remain on site throughout the night and will be operating a thermal imaging drone to detect and respond to any hot spots.
Evacuees will be provided with a return-home package at the Pomeroy Hotel prior to returning home this evening, including to expect to see red fire retardant on their properties due to air tanker drops which were necessary to protect homes and businesses from the wildfire.
Evacuees will be able to return to their homes at approximately 7 p.m.
UPDATE # 5 – May 5th, 12:00 p.m.:
County Regional Fire Service and Alberta Wildfire crews continue to battle the wildfire near Deer Ridge Estates, but, are optimistic the blaze may be classified as being held later Monday. This after Alberta Wildfire helicopters have been conducting bucketing operations in the area supported by approximately 60 ground crew members who are extinguishing hot spots.
The fire remains approximately 90 per cent contained, and no homes or structures have been destroyed as a result of the fire, including no outbuildings or sheds.
The County Fire Prevention Officer is working with Alberta Wildfire to investigate the cause of the fire.
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UPDATE # 4 – May 5th, 8:45 a.m.:
The Deer Ridge Estates wildfire is approximately 90 per cent contained, as both regional and crews from Alberta Wildfire made significant progress fighting the blaze overnight.
On Monday, ground fire crews and the Alberta Wildfire bucketing helicopter will continue to focus on extinguishing hotspots.
No homes or structures, such as outbuildings and sheds, were destroyed by the fire.
Officials suggest, however, that today’s relative humidity will create crossover conditions and may challenge the progress made on Sunday.
UPDATE # 3 – 12:00 a.m.
County of Grande Prairie officials have confirmed no homes have been destroyed as wildfire crews continue to look to contain the blaze near Deer Ridge Estates that sparked Sunday afternoon.
County Regional Fire Service crews along with Alberta Wildfire made progress containing the fire throughout the latter part of Sunday using fire retardant dropped by air tankers and a dozer guard.
The evacuation order remains in effect for an area within the County of Grande Prairie. The area includes the subdivisions of Sunrise Estates and Sunrise Estates 2, and the Core 40 Industrial Park, along with all rural properties within the evacuation order perimeter, defined as everyone south of Township Road 710 to 27 Avenue and East of Range Road 64 to Highway 40 in the County of Grande Prairie.
Fire officials are also reminding people that the use of personal drone equipment is strictly prohibited in the impacted area, as it will hinder air response from Alberta Wildfire and may result in fines.
UPDATE #2 – 9:00 p.m.
Fire crews from across the Grande Prairie region along with Alberta Wildfire and mutual aid from northwestern Alberta continue to battle the out of control wildfire near Deer Ridge Estates.
The response includes dozers, helicopters, air tankers, and numerous ground crews, and work on suppressing the fire will remain heavy through the overnight hours, and will include support by an Alberta Wildfire night vision helicopter and ground crews. Please expect noise throughout the night due to ongoing air operations.
An evacuation order remains in place for all residents south of Township Road 710 to 27 Avenue and east of Range Road 64 to Highway 40 in the County of Grande Prairie.
A reception centre remains open at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre for all residents displaced by the fire.
UPDATE #1 – 5:58 p.m.
The County of Grande Prairie has issued an evacuation order for everyone south of Township Road 710 to 27 Avenue, and East of Range Road 64 to Highway 40 in County of Grande Prairie.
A wildfire remains burning out of control, and is currently, according to officials, burning east toward Highway 40, south of Grande Prairie.
Everyone in the evacuation zone is asked to bring all important documents, medication, medical devices and be prepared to be away from home for up seven days. A reception centre for evacuees has been set up at the Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre.
Crews from both County Regional Fire Service and the City of Grande Prairie Fire Department are responding to a wildfire near Deer Ridge Estates.
Officials say the fire is in the area of Range Road 64 between Township Road 704 and Township Road 710, and is past the lake located north of Deer Ridge Estates and classified as out of control.
As a precaution, crews are evacuating homes within proximity of the fire, as of 4:30 p.m., no evacuation is required, however, officials are suggestion for anyone in the affected area to prepare for that possibility.
Residents are being asked to fuel up their vehicles and gather pets, important documents, medications, medical devices, as a precaution.
