Out of control wildfire burning near Deer Ridge Estates

The county says the fire is now being held because of “the availability of air tankers and the swift and ongoing fire crew response.”

The county adds ATCO will be making repairs in the evacuation area in the coming days.

UPDATE 4: Monday, May 5, 2:05 p.m.- The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership says that no homes or any other buildings have been lost in the Deer Ridge Estates Fire.

Two helicopters and 60 ground crew are fighting the blaze. The fire is 90 per cent contained.

Regional Enforcement Services is on site, managing any animals left behind and conducting road check stops.

The County of Grande Prairie has its Livestock Emergency Response Plan on standby, but no large animal rescues have been required so far.

GPREP says there will be no granting of temporary access permits for evacuees at this time.

UPDATE 3: Monday, May 5 at 9:00 a.m. – The County Regional Fire Service and Alberta Wildfire says the wildfire is now approximately 90 per cent contained.

Ground crews and the Alberta Wildfire bucketing helicopter will be working on extinguishing hotspots today.

GPREP says no homes or structures, like outbuildings and sheds were destroyed by the wildfire.

A fire ban went into effect at 8:00 a.m. in the County of Grande Prairie.

Officials say the use of personal drone equipment is also strictly prohibited in the area as it can hinder sir response from Alberta Wildfire, and may result in fines.

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UPDATE 2: Both the County of Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) say that no homes have been lost in the Deer Ridge Estates Fire.

They also say that fire crews have “made significant progress to contain the fire using fire retardant dropped by air tankers and a dozer guard.”

Crews will work all night.

The evacuation orders remain in effect.

UPDATE 1: The County of Grande Prairie says Sunrise Estates, Sunrise Estates 2 and the Core 40 Industrial Park are included in the evacuation order area. The area east of Range Road 64 to Highway 40 and south of the Correction Line Road to 27 Avenue remain under the same evacuation order.

There is a reception area for evacuees at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre on 100 Street in Grande Prairie, next to the Prairie Mall.

Ground crews, helicopters, dozers and air tankers are all being used to fight the fire. Crews will work overnight with the help from an Alberta Wildfire night vision helicopter. People nearby may hear some noise from the fire fighting efforts.

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership will have updates on its website and social media pages.

ORIGINAL STORY: The County of Grande Prairie says an out of control wildfire is burning near Deer Ridge Estates.

A wildfire alert is now in place for everyone south of Township Road 710 (the Correction Line Road) to 27 Avenue and east of Range Road 64 to Highway 40. Everyone in the area must leave immediately. An evacuation order is in now place.

Residents are being asked to get their important documents, medication and other medical things they may need and go to Pomeroy Hotel at 11613 100 Street.

Other people in the area are also being asked to stay alert in case they need to leave too.

The county says that the fire is burning towards Highway 40.

RCMP are on scene and road closures may be in effect.

County and city fire crews, along with Alberta Wildfire, are fighting the blaze.

The county is providing updates on its website and social media page..

Photo by Shelly Mcleod.

Photo by Shelly Mcleod

by Curtis Galbraith