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A new wildfire started 17 kilometres east of Valleyview Monday. Photo supplied by the Grande Prairie Forest Area Wildfire Information office.
By Curtis Galbraith
Wildfires

Fire hazard moderate in GPFA, very high in PRFA

Jul 11, 2023 | 5:03 PM

UPDATE: The MD of Greenview says on Facebook that an evacuation alert is in effect for everyone within a radius of 5 KM from Range Road 203 and Highway 669 in the Sunset House area because of the fire 17 kilometres east of Valleyview and five kilometres west of Snipe Lake.

The rain Monday means the wildfire hazard rating is now considered moderate in the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

Fire watchers say areas that did not get the heavy rain are still very dry. They will also be watching for more lightning-caused fires in the coming days.

Two new fires started Monday, including one located 17 kilometers east of Valleyview. It is listed as out-of-control at 40 hectares. The wildfire information office says it is burning in black spruce and muskeg. There are 20 firefighters, two aircraft, and heavy equipment fighting this blaze.

A fire located 10 kilometers west of Deadwood Lake is also still listed as out-of-control. The wildfire office says 45 per cent is controlled and there is a fire guard at around 95 per cent.

The hazard is still rated very high in the Peace River Forest Area. Two new fires started yesterday. Both are considered out-of-control, but one has burned a hectare, the other a tenth of a hectare.

by Curtis Galbraith