Photo: Alberta Wildfire / Facebook

By Shaun Penner

Extreme fire danger

“It’s the worst possible conditions”: Red Flag Warning issued for Grande Prairie Forest Area

Jun 29, 2021 | 6:37 PM

The fire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area has been raised to extreme due to the recent record temperatures in the region, while the Wildfire Information Officer for the Grande Prairie Forest Area says Wednesday’s forecast has caused Alberta Wildfire to issue its highest alert possible.

Kelly Burke says with continued hot and dry conditions, and with winds projected to gust as high as 50 km/h at times Wednesday, Alberta Wildfire has issued a Red Flag Warning.

“We’re in a real dangerous fire position,” said Burke.

“Any type of fire lit in those conditions will just blow up. It’s the worst possible conditions.”

Alberta Wildfire states that a Red Flag Warning is its highest alert, as it indicates fire danger conditions pose a critical degree of danger to fire line personnel and the public.

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Local History

Oliver's Funeral Home - 109 years of Service

Sep 04, 2024

Burke says with some relief in the forecast coming as early as Thursday, she says the conditions creating the Red Flag Warning will likely only be a day or two.

“It’ll be short lived. It’ll be because of the humidity and the wind, and the very strange temperatures,” she adds.

A full fire ban has not been issued, though a fire restriction is in place for the Grande Prairie Forest Area and the County of Grande Prairie.

Under a restriction, existing fire permits are suspended and all outdoor fires presently burning under permit must be extinguished, unless approved to continue by a Forest Officer. Wood campfires on public land are also prohibited.

Safe wood campfires within fire rings in campgrounds and backyard fire pits are allowed, while wood campfires on private land are still permitted as well.

Burke says though a ban is not in place, she highly recommends not conducting burning of any kind at this time. That’s includes any private fireworks residents planned to shoot off on July 1.

“If anyone is planning on having fireworks, maybe you should hold off on that for a time where the ground may be wet.”

She adds it takes very little to create a wildfire in these conditions, and that extreme diligence is needed by all area residents to help protect against forest fires.

“I’ve seen the fire behaviour pretty intense, some of the pictures I’ve seen, so we really want to stress to just be careful out there,” Burke said. “Any type of spark, dragging chains, welding, all those activities, you probably should hold off on.”

Burke says lightning has recently caused wildfires in the High Level and Fort McMurray area.

Environment Canada says lightning is in the forecast for the Grande Prairie area Wednesday.

“If we get lightning like that, that’s when we want people to be on alert and if you see a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.”

The Grande Prairie Forest Area has seen 49 wildfires burn nearly 63 hectares since March 1.