By Shaun Penner

County-wide fire ban

County issues fire and OHV ban, keeps campgrounds closed through May

Apr 16, 2020 | 3:10 PM

UPDATE (Apr 17, 9:30 p.m.): The County of Grande Prairie has amended its fire ban to now allow fires in permanent recreational fire pits, as long as they are properly permitted. More details can be found here.

The County of Grande Prairie is delaying the start of its camping season, while also following the lead of the provincial government by placing a fire and OHV ban across the County.

Effective at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 16, a fire ban and off-highway vehicle ban will be in place across the County. This ban includes the Towns of Beaverlodge. Wembley and Sexsmith, as well as the Village of Hythe.

The news comes after the province announced on Tuesday that all fires and OHV use in Forest Protection Areas are prohibited. A majority of the County of Grande Prairie does not fall within those areas, leading the County to place its own ban.

The County ban means that all fire permits have been suspended. All open fires including burning barrels, open fires not in permitted recreational fire pits and the lighting of fireworks is prohibited.

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The OHV ban is in place on all public and crown lands.

The County says special permits for agricultural burning will be considered. Any questions about this ban can be directed to the County’s Fire Services department at 780-532-9727.

It was also announced Thursday that all County of Grande Prairie campgrounds will not be opening to the public until at least June. The order follows that of Parks Canada to keep its campgrounds closed through the end of May due to COVID-19.

The County says in a release that it will not be taking new reservations at Bear Lake, Demmitt, Hommy, Kleskun Hill, the Old Bezanson Townsite, and Pipestone Creek campgrounds until June 1 at the earliest. Any reservations affected by this announcement have automatically been cancelled and will be refunded.

“While the County appreciates that people are eager to get outdoors during this time, these measures are following decisions from Parks Canada and Alberta Parks, and are necessary to support the effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce health and safety risks,” reads a statement from the County.

“The public is asked to respect the current suspension of public access to County parks and campgrounds, including boating access, and to obey orders from the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) under the local health state of emergency.”