Massive Wildfires Blaze Through Alberta’s Grande Prairie Forest Area
The Alberta Wildfire has reported that there are six out-of-control wildfires burning in the Grande Prairie Forest Area. The largest fire, located 21 kilometres west of Highway 40 and 50 kilometres south of Grande Prairie, is estimated to be 7,500 hectares in size. Another fire, estimated to be 2,000 hectares in size, was discovered on Friday and is located 15 kilometres east of Cleardale.
As a result of a wildfire estimated to be 1,000 hectares in size, residents of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and Sandy Bay, as well as those in the north of Highway 43 and east of Youngs Point Road, including Cozy Cove and Boyd’s Lakeshore Properties, were evacuated to Valleyview on Friday afternoon. On either side of Highway 43, the fire is situated six kilometers west of Valleyview.
A wildfire located eight kilometres southeast of Dimsdale in the Dunes area is estimated to be 400 hectares in size. Alberta Wildfire is providing mutual aid to the County of Grande Prairie’s firefighters, who are trying to contain the blaze.
Residents in the area of Township Road 710 from south to the Wapiti River and between Highway 40 and Range Road 73 have been ordered to evacuate immediately as the fire threatens the structures. In addition, provincial wildfire firefighters are providing mutual aid in fighting a 50-hectare fire located 9.5 kilometers south of Rycroft in the Municipal District of Greenview.
According to Wildfire Information Officer Kelly Burke, the hot and dry weather conditions are expected to persist, posing challenges for firefighters and aircraft. The forecast is predicting a temperature of 28 degrees, a relative humidity of 20 per cent, and winds from the southeast, gusting up to 50 kilometers per hour.
In response to the ongoing wildfire situation, a fire ban and OHC restriction is in effect for all Forest Protection Areas in Alberta. As such, all outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public and private lands, and provincial campgrounds are banned. The use of off-highway vehicles for recreational purposes, including designated OHV trails on public lands, is banned.
Residents residing adjacent to the Fourth Creek area between Township Road 840 and the Peace River, from Range Road 75 to Range Road 85, have been recommended to take preventive measures on their property in case the fire advances towards their direction in the upcoming days.
Additionally, a wildfire alert has been issued for Saddle Hills County as there is an out-of-control wildfire burning in the area. The fire has grown to more than 2,000 hectares, and authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant and follow all necessary precautions.
