Photo supplied by the Grande Prairie Forest Area Wildfire Information office.

By Curtis Galbraith

Wildfires

Wildfire hazard up in a couple of forest areas

May 29, 2023 | 5:29 PM

The fire hazard ratings continue to climb in the warm, dry weather.

It is now Very High in the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

The Wildfire Information office says the Grande Prairie Forest Area will not be issuing any new fire permits.

The fire hazard is also Very High in the Peace River Forest Area.

Late Monday, the Peace River Banks/Cleardale fire was re-classified as being out of control after being listed as being held for several days. The wind on Monday made it flare up again.

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The fire hazard is now Extreme in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Existing fire permits are suspended, and no new ones will be issued.

The hazard is still High in the Whitecourt Forest Area.

A fire restriction remains in place for all of these areas.

In its daily update, the province says the evacuation alert for Valleyview has been cancelled. So has an evacuation alert for Swan Hills.

The province also has what it calls a red flag watch in place for the High Level, Fort Vermilion, Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan areas.

This means the weather and dry conditions are ideal for fires to start and spread quickly.

Alberta currently has 60 wildfires, 18 of which are out of control. There are 2800 people fighting those fires.