Grande Prairie Forest Area - April 20, 2025
The fire danger is anticipated to climb during the weekend due to warm windy conditions. Dry grass and vegetation could catch easily and burn quickly. Keep watch of your surroundings and keep sufficient water and firefighting equipment nearby when working or recreating outdoors.
We encourage any landowners who have done burning over the winter and that have had past fire permits to revisit the burn location to ensure these fires are fully extinguished.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.
Wildfire situation
Since January 1, there have been eight wildfires burning a total of 8.44 hectares (ha) in the Grande Prairie Forest Area.
GWF005 was located 18 km north of Rycroft, on the south side of the Dunvegan bridge, west of highway 2. The wildfire is now extinguished.
GWF006 was located 30 km north of Valleyview, on the east side of highway 49. The wildfire is now extinguished.
GWF007, GWF008 are both classified as under control. Firefighters will continue to monitor and action these wildfires until they're fully extinguished.
No communities are threatened by these wildfires. Learn more about wildfire status and view active wildfires, their locations and stats on the interactive map on our wildfire status page.
Campfire safety
Albertans are enjoying the warm weather this weekend and that includes campfires. We urge everyone to use caution and be responsible when having a campfire. Conditions are dry, and it only takes one stray ember to land in nearby dry vegetation to ignite a wildfire. Keep campfires small and contained, never leave your campfire unattended and always fully extinguish your campfire by soaking the ashes, stirring them and soaking them again.
Learn more on campfire safety, how to choose your campfire site, prepare your campfire and properly extinguish it when you are done.
If you plan to burn it, get your permit
Alberta’s wildfire season starts on March 1. This means that fire permits are now required for burning within the Forest Protection Area, except campfires. Fire permits are free and can be requested online. You may also request your fire permit by calling your local forestry office:
- In Grande Prairie, Grovedale or County West, call 780-814-1648
- In Spirit River, call 780-814-1983
- In Valleyview, call 780-524-6576
Prevent spring wildfires
As we continue to experience warm temperatures the grass and other vegetation dries out becoming highly flammable. The area anticipates windy conditions today and the remainder of the week that could allow for a fast moving wildfire if one does occur. We are urging everyone to use caution when working or recreating outdoors.
- When operating off-highway vehicles (OHVs) you should stop often to remove debris from hot spots on your vehicle.
- Avoid parking on tall grass as the heat from your vehicle’s muffler can ignite dry vegetation.
- Use equipment safely by keeping spark-producing machines away from dry grass.
- When using farming equipment make sure that you clean debris from hot spots regularly. Always carry sufficient water and firefighting tools such as a shovel, pail, and extinguisher.
You can watch our video on how to prevent spring wildfires.
Hazard reduction burning - Sturgeon Lake
Alberta Wildfire and the Sturgeon Lake Fire Department continue hazard reduction burning in the community of Sturgeon Lake this week and anticipate the project to continue through April, ending in early May. Firefighters have successfully burnt close to 30 hectares to date. You can learn more about hazard reduction burns.
Fire advisory
A fire advisory is in effect for the Grande Prairie Forest Area due to warm, windy conditions and the dry grass hazard. The fire advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.
- Existing fire permits remain valid
- New permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.
- Fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited.
Published on April 20, 2025 4:16 pm
Wildfire season runs March 1 – October 31.
From March 1 to October 31, all burning activities in the Forest Protection Area, excluding campfires, require a fire permit.
Prevent wildfires by checking on winter burn sites. Winter burns can smoulder underground and often reignite in the spring. Extinguish a fire by soaking it, stirring it, and soaking it again.
Contact info
Provincial Information Officer
780-420-1968
[email protected]