Lightning is believed to be the cause of most of the wildfires currently burning in Alberta (Photo: Alberta Wildfire)

By Shaun Penner

"Everything is very dry"

Conditions have wildfire watchers on high alert as danger remains Very High

Jul 14, 2021 | 1:22 PM

Alberta Wildfire says conditions in the Grande Prairie Forest Area continue to pose a very high risk of wildfires, with the weather over the next couple of days expected to keep fire watchers on high alert.

Information Officer Kelly Burke says the current fire danger is still rated Very High.

“Everything is very dry. The fine fuels are really dried out, as well as the larger fuels like downed timber and logs are getting super dry every day.”

Burke says the forecast for the area is showing winds up to 35 km/h over the coming days ahead of an expected cold front, which will bring with it some much-needed rain.

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But with that wind, there is also possible lightning, which Burke says has already caused many of the active fires in the province following recent thunderstorms.

She says those conditions will make it very difficult for crews to quickly control fires.

“So, holdover fires will be an issue, and new lightning strikes are expected,” she said. “Any fire started in these conditions will be really hard to control.”

There are currently five active wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area, including one 12 km southwest of Grovedale, which Burke suspects was caused by lightning. That fire is classified as under control with two firefighters and a helicopter working to completely put out the 0.18-hectare blaze.

All five fires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area are under control or are being held and combined have burned less than one hectare of forest.

With Environment Canada forecasting localized rainfall in the Grande Prairie area of up to 40 mm in the coming week, Burke says they are feeling optimistic about how much that will help lower the fire danger in the area.

“That’ll be an extreme help to all of us. It will give us that temporary relief, hopefully we’ll be able to lift some of the restrictions,” said Burke.

“But we’re going to need a good 20 mm of rain to really soak some of these areas… that have had very drought conditions.”

Burke reminds residents that a fire restriction remains in place, meaning existing fire permits are suspended and wood campfires on public land are prohibited.

Safe wood campfires on private land and within campgrounds are still allowed.

“I wanted to remind people using OHVs, or if they are using heavy equipment, or if they are working outside to be extra diligent,” Burke said. “Always have a shovel and water… and call 310-FIRE if you do see a fire.”

Since March 1 there have been 72 wildfires that have burned over 65 hectares in the Grande Prairie Forest Area.