Calgary Fire Department firefighters arrive in County of GP to help with Dunes West wildfire, photo courtesy GREP

By Erika Rolling

Wildfires

Additional crews arrive to fight Dunes West wildfire

May 9, 2023 | 6:44 AM

More firefighters arrived in Grande Prairie yesterday evening to fight the Dunes West wildfire and support local crews.

The Calgary Fire Department brought three engines, 27 firefighters, and a mechanic truck up to Grande Prairie to help. As soon as they arrived, they were being integrated into the operational plan and headed directly to Dunes West to fight the fire.

The wildfire remains out of control at 1,700 hectares.

Crews are using several firefighting techniques to contain the blaze using helicopters with buckets, cooling hot spots, laying sprinklers to saturate the ground, as well as structure protection.

Technical experts are assessing the weather conditions to come later in the week and want to remind the public to not become complacent, as there may be thunder showers and shifting winds to come.

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There is no update to damage assessments yet. The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership is working with external stakeholders to make a plan for assessments, but the evacuation area is not yet ready for them to begin.

The damage assessment plan will only be activated when fire crews deem the evacuation area safe for assessments to occur and general re-entry to impacted areas will only be considered after damage assessments are complete. 

No changes have happened to the evacuation order and alerts.

There are now over 930 evacuees registered at Bonnetts Energy Centre.

If any Albertan is evacuated under a mandatory order for seven consecutive days or more, they can become eligible to receive $1,250 per adult and $500 per dependent child under 18 years of age. To apply for the payment, click here.

Funds can take up to 24 hours to flow into accounts and will be disbursed via e-transfer. Evacuees who are unable to receive an e-transfer or who cannot apply online can contact 310-4455 for assistance and to make alternate payment arrangements.

The Dunes West Wildfire Information Line is available at 1-825-606-5092.