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Photo courtesy GPREP
By Erika Rolling
Wildfires

Dunes West Wildfire now under control

May 16, 2023 | 12:04 PM

UPDATE: The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership says residents located between Township Road 710 south to the Wapiti River between Range Road 65 and Range Road 63 as well as Range Road 75 and Range Road 73 are now under an evacuation alert and can return home.

This includes the subdivisions of Mystic Ridge, Deer Ridge Estates, The Ranch, and Dunes West, Park Meadows, Deer Run Estates, and surrounding properties which were downgraded to an evacuation alert on Sunday.

Residents between Township Road 710 south to the Wapiti River between Range Road 73 and Range Road 65 remain on an Evacuation order and cannot return to their homes.

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership says despite the winds overnight, the Dunes West wildfire is now under control.

Monday was a critical day for fire operations, as crews responded to four flare-up hot spots throughout the night, with three extinguished and one burnt itself out thanks to the winds.

With the positive news, the activity is now completely contained within the fire perimeter and operations are still underway to ensure it’s safe for residents to return home in select areas.

The wildfire is still active in the Spring Creek area, and firefighters are removing hazardous trees and actioning hot spots.

GPREP says they will announce additional plans for re-entry for select areas Tuesday afternoon/evening.

The current evacuation order is unchanged from Sunday. The following areas remain under evacuation alert:

  • TWP 710, East of Spring Creek to RR 65.  
  • RR 65 South of TWP 710 to Park Meadows, Park Meadows, and Deer Run Estates, and within Townships 32 70 6W6 and 33 70 6W6
  • Township Road 710 South to the Wapiti River between Highway 40 and Range Road 63

Residents in the evacuation alert areas are reminded that they are to be prepared to leave within 30 minutes if the situation changes.

Over 825 people have been able to access their homes through Temporary Access Permits and with the assistance of RCMP.

GPREP now has re-entry information packages available for evacuees. These packages have helpful tips on how to re-connect your utilities, how to dispose of spoiled food, how to ensure your household water and drinking water is safe to use, and many more helpful tips.

You can find the re-entry information packages here:

  • At www.gprep.ca
  • In print at the Reception Centre located at the Bonnetts Energy Centre
  • At the front desk of your hotel if you are an evacuee

ATCO Gas and Electric have confirmed that electricity and natural gas have been restored to the property line for all homes and businesses in the affected area.

Homes that are within the evacuation order area will not have their gas turned on until their evacuation order is downgraded to an alert. Once permitted to re-enter your home or business following the downgrade, please contact ATCO to unlock the gas connection to your home.

by Erika Rolling