A Red Flag Watch is now in effect for the Grande Prairie Forest Area. A Red Flag Warning is issued in advance of critical fire danger.

To help prevent wildfires in the coming days:

Grasses and other fine fuels can ignite quickly under windy conditions. If you are operating an off-highway vehicle (OHV) use caution, clear your hot spots, and carry a collapsible bucket and shovel. Sparks from rocks hitting heavy machinery, dragging chains and welding operations are all high-risk activities.

Do not operate equipment in tall grass and keep watch of your surroundings and ensure you have sufficient firefighting equipment and water available.

Industry is reminded that build-up of carbon within the flare stacks result in hot embers being released into surrounding dry grass. Inspect and maintain the ignition devices to ensure operation is within appropriate parameters.

The wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area is VERY HIGH. Due to dry grass, warm weather and very windy conditions expected in the coming days, the risk of wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area has increased.

As of 2:00 P.M., Wednesday May 8, 2024. A fire ban is in effect for the Grande Prairie Forest Area. Check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there is a fire advisory, fire restriction or fire ban in effect for your destination.

Under this ban:
• All existing fire permits are suspended (or cancelled)
• No new fire permits will be issued

Prohibited:
• All outdoor wood fires are banned, including wood campfires on public lands, wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
• Backyard firepits
• BBQ charcoal briquettes
• The use of fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed:
• Propane/natural gas-powered appliances
• Open flame oil devices (e.g., turkey deep fryers, tiki torches)
• Indoor wood fires contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor
• All appliances must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards

If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.

For more information: Fire Restriction Fact Sheet
MO-015 Fire Restriction (revised boundary) and MO-016 Fire Ban map

Do you have a Livestock Evacuation Plan? It never hurts to be prepared.

In case of evacuation, it is best practice to ensure you have the following in place:

Identify at least 2 evacuation routes
Locate and prearrange evacuation sites.
Make arrangements for transport vehicles for livestock as well as experienced handlers and drivers.
Arrange for feed and water at the evacuation site.
If animals are evacuated to an area where they will co-mingle with other animals:
- Make sure your animals have sufficient identification (ear tags, brands, tattoos)
- Verify health and vaccination status of animals which must be co-mingled and monitor the well-being of the animals to mitigate the potential for an animal disease problem.
If your pasture meets the following criteria, your animals may be better off out in the pasture than being evacuated:
- Native tree species only
- No overhead powerlines or poles
- No sources of blowing debris
- No barbed wire fencing
- At least one acre (0.4 hectares) of open space

Many of our residents are farmers and have large animals on their property. Consider putting an Emergency Management Plan in place for you and your animals.

Here is a list of a few things to consider having in your operation

• Visible identification and proof of ownership for all your animals

• Turning off all power to buildings and homes (emergency dependent)

• Securing all large objects that could become blowing debris (Trailers, tanks, troughs)

• Labelling hazardous materials and placing them all in a safe place.

• Storing chemicals in an area that will not result in runoff or seepage if they are punctured or spilled

• Identifying and removing all potential fire hazards

While there are no current evacuation orders in place, we are asking that all residents take precautionary measures and be prepared. We suggest that residents:

1. Prepare for possible evacuation

2. Mitigate yard sites, by making fire guards around homes & structures,

3. Move firewood, dead vegetation, portable propane tanks, and other combustibles away from homes and buildings,

4. Consider placing sprinklers on homes to wet the roof surfaces, this will help should sparks stop raining down,

5. Cut dead grass around buildings and remove dried leaves and twigs from rain gutters,

6. Pre-wet ground and roof surfaces using water hoses, pumps, etc.

Be Prepared Alberta has more resources to prepare yourself.

OHVs and Wildfires

Stay safe while enjoying your time off! Debris falling from off-highway vehicles have been known to cause wildfires.

Exhaust systems heat up to temperatures in excess of 200°C. At these temperatures, built up materials and debris on your machine (such as grass, muskeg, moss, or other debris) can heat up, smoulder and ignite. The smouldering debris can drop to the ground as you are riding, starting a wildfire.

You can reduce the risk of your vehicle causing a wildfire by following these simple steps.

– Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.

– After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.

– Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.

– Wash your OHV and keep it clean; do not wash in streams and creeks.

– Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.

– Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it is extinguished.

For more information: https://www.alberta.ca/off-highway-vehicle-safety.aspx….

Winter Burn Piles – How To

Before burning wood debris or brush this winter, make sure you have the proper tools on hand and only burn what you can control. Remember you are responsible for all fires you light and it is important to check your burn site over the winter months for signs of a holdover fire.

Use the following guidelines when preparing to burn brush piles or windrows https://bit.ly/3vuRJZ7

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Winter Preparedness Resources

Now that winter is here, we have compiled a list of the winter preparedness resources on Alberta.ca to make it as easy as possible for you to share preparedness information with your communities.

Follow the links in the table below for guidance on how to be prepared for winter.

Webpage	Blizzards, freezing rain, ice storms and extreme cold	Learn about blizzards and extreme cold conditions and what you can do to protect yourself and others.
Fact sheet	Blizzards, freezing rain, and ice storms (English)	This fact sheet explains how to be prepared when faced with a severe storm. Download, print or share. The factsheet can be downloaded in 10 different languages from the dedicated webpage.
Get Prepared: 60 Second Emergency Tip video	How can you prepare for extreme cold?	Learn how to stay safe when the temperature drops below -40°C or wind chill makes it feel that cold.
Infographic	Winter hazards preparedness infographic	Severe winter weather can be dangerous without a plan. Protect yourself and others by knowing the risks of winter hazards and make a plan.
Web directory	Attached	This directory identifies what products the Be Prepared program offers and where they are located on the web.
Webpage	Safer winter highways	Learn how to winterize your vehicle and stay safe on roadways during winter.
Webpage	Working in extreme temperatures	Health and safety information and work site practices for working in extreme cold or heat.

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Please Be Careful

Whenever possible use an existing campfire facility such as rings and pits for your campfire. These facilities are available in many campgrounds and recreation area and are designed to help contain a fire and prevent it from spreading. If no campfire facilities are available, use sites that are clear of dry grass, bushes, leaves, branches, tree trunks, peat moss, and overhanging branches. If the site has already been used for a campfire, use the same site.

The Forest and Prairie Protection Act include fines for abandoning campfires as well as for using fireworks and exploding targets in forested areas learn more here.

Albertans living or working in the Forest Protection Area of the province can request a free fire permit by contacting your local forestry office or using the new, convenient online Fire Permit Portal. Anyone living outside the Forest Protection Area can contact their municipality for information about local fire permit requirements.

County West / Grovedale – (780) 814-1648
Spirit River – (780) 814-1983
Valleyview – (780) 524-6576

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Wildfire Information At Your Fingertips

Two new web applications will make it easier for Albertans to access important wildfire information.

A wildfire dashboard and fire permit portal join the Alberta Wildfire app as key technologies that put critical wildfire management and prevention information directly into the hands of Albertans.

“Albertans want to be in the know during wildfire season and do their part to prevent human-caused wildfires. Last year, 67 per cent of wildfires were caused by humans. These new tools will empower residents and visitors with the information they need to make smart decisions during wildfire season.”

Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development

Wildfire dashboard

The new wildfire dashboard provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the province, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more.

The dashboard builds on the former wildfire status map by displaying the most frequently accessed information in one convenient location.

Fire permit portal

Albertans living or recreating in the Forest Protection Area of the province can request a free fire permit using the new, convenient online fire permit portal.

Permits are required for burning activities other than campfires during wildfire season and help focus firefighting resources where they are needed most. Fire permits help ensure that when smoke or fire is reported, wildfire officials can determine whether this is a wildfire or a permitted burn.

Each permit is unique and outlines the restrictions and conditions for your burn, including location, wind speed, time and date of burn and any suppression tools required. Permits may be suspended or cancelled in the event of a fire advisory, restriction or ban.

Fire permits can still be requested over the phone by calling your local forest area office.

Anyone living outside of the Forest Protection Area should contact their local municipality for more information about fire permits in their area.

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Monitor Current Fire Bans, Wildfire Status, Smoke Conditions & Weather Alerts

Fire season in Alberta began March 1st every year. Permits are required for all burning except campfires in the Forest Protection Area.

Fire Ban status in Alberta can be monitored by the smart phone app “Fire Bans” app or by visiting; https://albertafirebans.ca .
Wildfire Status in Alberta can be monitored by the (new) smart phone app “AB Wildfire Status” app or by visiting; https://wildfire.alberta.ca/wildfire-status/status-map.aspx .

Current smoke conditions can be monitored at: https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/
Monitor Public Weather Alerts for Alberta at: https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html?prov=ab
BC Wildfire Map: https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/f0ac328d88c74d07aa2ee385abe2a41b

To help protect your home from wildfire, FireSmart it:

remove flammable items that are within 5 feet of your property
keep roof and gutters free from debris
prune trees and shrubs regularly
conduct a FireSmart home assessment

Talk to your neighbors about what you can do to FireSmart your community.
Learn more about how you can FireSmart your property, your community and your industry.

Resources:

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EMERGENCIES CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME

Make a plan. Create a kit. Stay informed.

There are various ways to stay informed of emergencies in the Central Peace and around Alberta.

These include:

Alberta Emergency Alerts are issued to provide you with critical information about an immediate emergency, where it is occurring, and what actions you nee to take. Alerts are distributed in various ways, including: radio, television, social media, RSS feed, and the Alberta Emergency Alert App. Download the app to stay informed through your mobile device.
Wireless alerting is another tool to receive emergency alerts. Wireless public alerts are issued to cell phones within a defined geographic area. These alerts are only issued for threat-to-life situations. You can learn more at alertready.ca, and check if your phone is compatible to receive wireless alerts. Sign-up is not required as all cell-phones are automatically registered.
Municipal sources: Be careful of the authenticity of some of the information that is being shared. It is best to use trusted municipal sources for local information