The wildfie danger for Grande Prairie Forest Area is HIGH

GRANDE PRAIRIE FOREST AREA | WILDFIRE SITUATION | August 8, 2022 AT 430 PM

There is one active wildfire listed as under control (UC) in the Grande Prairie Forest Area. Since March 1, 2022 there have been 35 wildfires burning nearly 95 hectares in the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

To view wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire App or visit Wildfire Status | AAF – Agriculture a nd Forestry (alberta.ca).

For the an accurate forecast of wildfire smoke, go to FIRESMOKE CANADA for hourly ground-level concentration of smoke particles from wildfires.

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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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Wildfire Season Started March 1st

As of March 1, a fire permit is required for all burning, with the exception of a campfire in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta.

To avoid accidentally starting a holdover fire, it’s important to check all burn areas to ensure they are out. To properly extinguish a fire, completely soak the area with water, stir up the ashes and soak the area again. Always check for hot spots around your fall and winter burn sites. Feel for heat in the spring and times of dry windy weather. To report a wildfire call 310-FIRE (3473)

Wildfire Situation

Windy weather and outdoor burning is a dangerous combination. During times of high wildfire danger, grass fires can start and spread fast. It is important to use caution while working or recreating in Alberta’s forests.

Since March 1, 2021 there have been 12 wildfires burning nearly six hectares in the Grande Prairie Forest Area. At this time, 11 of these fires have been extinguished and one is listed as under control. For more information on the current wildfire situation across the province of Alberta visit wildfirestatus.alberta.ca

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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