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The County of Grande Prairie has issued a Fire Ban for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.

The fire ban was issued due to hot, dry and windy weather conditions, as well as current wildfire activity. The County Regional Fire Service is responding to the Peavine Creek Wildfire that crossed the BC-AB border near Preston Lake yesterday and is continuing to monitor the Boone Lake Complex in Saddle Hills County. Read the latest status update.

Existing burning permits are revoked and no new fire permits will be issued until the ban is lifted. All fires currently burning must be extinguished immediately.

Under the ban, all outdoor fires are prohibited, including recreational fire pits, open pit burning,  charcoal briquettes, burning barrels, cooking fires, burning of refuse, brush piles and crop stubble, as well as fireworks. The use of propane appliances, such as barbecues, is permitted.

For industry, open pit flaring is suspended.

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions change. Read more about the current fire ban status at www.countygp.ab.ca/fireban. View all current fire restrictions and bans in place across the province at www.albertafirebans.ca.  

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Backgrounder

Depending on the conditions, the County of Grande Prairie uses the following tiered system to temporarily limit activites that may lead to wildfires. Fire advisories, restrictions or bans can reduce human-cause wildfires.

 

  • Fire Advisory: The fire danger rating has increased. Fire permits may be restricted. Safe campfires are allowed in campgrounds and backcountry or random camping areas, but this level is a warning they may be restricted if the situation doesn't improve.
  • Fire Restriction: A fire restriction prohibits the use of wood campfires on public land but does allow wood campfires inside provincial campgrounds and private property. Fire permits may be restricted, suspended, or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.
  • Fire Ban: A fire ban prohibits wood campfires on public land, campgrounds, and private land including backyard fire pits. Fire permits will be suspended or cancelled, and no new permits will be issued.

Media Contact:
Communications department
communications@countygp.ab.ca