STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
(Image Credit: Grande Prairie Fire Department)
By Nathaniel Leigh
Grande Prairie Fire Department

Grande Prairie Fire Department urges fire safety amid rise in fire risk

May 22, 2026 | 1:26 PM

The City of Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie Fire Department are asking residents to take extra caution when disposing of smoking materials following a recent increase in human-caused fires.

Fire Chief Mark VanWerkhoven says fire conditions in Grande Prairie are currently extreme.

“Extreme means that the conditions are such that a fire can easily start and quickly spread in the right conditions,” he says. “Particularly with the winds that we’ve been seeing in our region the last couple of weeks.”

Over a 48-hour period this week, the GPFD responded to four separate fires.

VanWerkoven says these fires were human-caused.

“We don’t have any evidence or suggestions that this is nefarious, that this is intentional, and that’s why our focus right now is on education,” he says. “This is unfortunately not a new issue in North America, and it’s not an issue that is specific to Grande Prairie alone.”

The fire department advises residents should never dispose of smoking materials in planters, flowerpots, garbage cans, or off balconies and decks.

They should instead use sturdy ashtrays and non-combustible containers filled with sand or water.

“In current conditions a cigarette flipped out a window or off a balcony can have catastrophic impacts,” he says. “On that note, we respectfully ask citizens to stop that behaviour frankly. Specifically, we’re urgently asking citizens to be mindful of the danger and help us prevent further losses in their community.”

Residents can learn more about local fire restrictions and find fire safety information at cityofgp.com/firebans.

by Nathaniel Leigh