Back to SearchCounty of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service Issues Fire Ban
Effective at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service will be issuing a Fire Ban for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley. The Fire Ban replaces the former Fire Restriction issued on April 30.
The Fire Ban is due to dry conditions and recent wildfire activity in the region. The current fire hazard is extreme, and the County Regional Fire Service has responded to multiple wildfires in the last 72 hours, including the Morgan’s Mountain and the Deer Ridge Estates wildfires.
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.
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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.
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Fire Advisory: The fire danger rating has increased. Fire permits may be restricted. Safe campfires are allowed in campgrounds, but this level is a warning they may be restricted if the situation doesn't improve.
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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.
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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:
Trevor Grant
Fire Chief
County Regional Fire Service
780-532-9727