Dunes West Wildfire Update #26 | 10:30 p.m. | Fire Guard Now in Place Around Entire Perimeter, Residents Urged to Stay Prepared as Extreme Weather Increases Wildfire Risks

A combined effort is still underway to clean up hotspots within the fire perimeter and a reduction in total hotspots is being shown on thermal mapping.

Current Status of the Dunes West Wildfire

A fire guard is now in place around the entire fire perimeter. Additionally, crews strengthened the fire guard by cleaning up debris within the fire guard using hand tools and fire hoses.

Sprinkler protection lines remain in place on structures east of the fire.

Weather

Cooler weather is expected to arrive later tonight, as it comes through, it will create a dramatic wind shift with wind gusts expected to reach 50km/hr.

The wind shift can cause extreme fire behaviour and crews are actively monitoring the situation and prepared to respond.

Residents are reminded to stay alert and report any wildfires as quickly as possible to 310-FIRE (3473).

Evacuation Area

The following evacuation orders have been adjusted to an evacuation alert:

• TWP 710, East of Spring Creek to RR 65.  
• RR 65 South of TWP 710 to Park Meadows, Park Meadows and Deer Run Estates, and within Townships 32 70 6W6 and 33 70 6W6
• Township Road 710 South to the Wapiti River between Highway 40 and Range Road 63.  

Most residents from Township Road 710 south to the Wapiti River between Range Road 63 and Range Road 75 remain on an Evacuation Order and cannot return to their homes until conditions improve and the order is lifted. 

If residents have any questions about returning home, please call: 1-825-606-5092.

A Temporary Access Permit is only required if you wish to access a home within an Evacuation ORDER area.

Evacuee Information and Resources

1820 residents have registered with the Reception Centre located at Bonnett’s Energy Centre.

A Welcome Home Guide is available for residents who live in areas that are downgraded from an evacuation order to alert.

The Guide provides information and resources to return safely after being evacuated including dealing with utility disruption and assisting with smoke decontamination or deodorizing.

The Guide is available for download from the GPREP website and print copies available at the Reception Centre (located at Bonnett’s Energy Centre, 10017-99 Avenue, Grande Prairie) or at the front desk of evacuees’ hotels.

Wildfire Preparation

All residents are urged to be prepared in the event of an evacuation. Steps you can take are:

• Consider maintaining an emergency kit stocked with supplies such as water, food, battery-powered or crank radio, and a flashlight.
• If you have a vehicle, keep the tank full in case fuel stations lose power or close down.
• Remove items that can burn within 1.5 metres (5 feet) of your home, such as dried branches, leaves, lawn furniture, firewood, and/or debris.
• Keep a sprinkler in an easy-to-access location.
• Be careful when smoking outside, extinguish fire pits and burn barrels, and obey local fire bans.

More wildfire preparation tips and resources can be found on the Wildfire preparedness | Alberta.ca.

Bald Mountain Wildfire Update

Alberta Wildfire is the lead agency on the Bald Mountain Wildfire, located south of the Wapiti River in the MD of Greenview. The fire is estimated at 11,750 hectares and is currently classified as out of control. We are monitoring this fire closely and receiving regular updates from Alberta Wildfire.

Muskoseepi Park Fires

Earlier this afternoon, City of Grande Prairie Fire Fighters responded to two fires within Muskoseepi Park. Crews successfully extinguished the fires with the assistance of helicopter oversight who provided necessary information about the locations of the fires. Thank you to the residents who reported these fires.

For the latest status update on the Dunes West Wildfire Update, visit here.

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Media Contact: 

GPREP Information Officer 

1-825-609-5100