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County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Issues Fire Ban  

The County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service has issued a fire ban effective at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.  

The County’s fire ban is due to recent hot and dry conditions and aligns with the Alberta Forestry Fire Ban issued today for the entire Forest Protected Area of Alberta. The current fire hazard is extreme.  

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. Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.  

Under the ban, all outdoor fires are prohibited, including:  

 Recreational fire pits, fires using charcoal briquettes, and any fires in County-operated parks and campgrounds. 

    • Open pit burning  
    • Burning barrels  
    • Burning of refuse  
    • Brush piles and crop stubble  
    • 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 improve. 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.   

Stay informed and prepared by signing up for Voyent Alert, the multi-purpose communication service provided by the County of Grande Prairie. Receive critical alerts like fires or floods, as well as day-to-day communications. Don't wait for emergencies to strike; register today. Download the Voyent Alert! app on your iOS or Android device, or register for email, SMS, or phone alerts at https://register.voyent-alert.com. Learn more at www.countygp.ab.ca/alerts.   

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Backgrounder 

Depending on the conditions, the County of Grande Prairie uses the following tiered system to temporarily limit activities 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:  
Jason Nesbitt 
Deputy Fire Chief  
County Regional Fire Service 
780-532-9727