ALERT: The County of Grande Prairie has issued a fire advisory for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley, effective at 3:00pm on April 15th 2025.
Fire Advisories, Restrictions and Bans
Updated - April 30, 2025
Fire Advisory Issued for the County of Grande Prairie and Surrounding Towns
The County of Grande Prairie has issued a fire advisory for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley, effective at 3:00 p.m. today until further notice.
The advisory is in effect due to current and forecasted weather conditions and increased dry grass hazards throughout the region.
While existing fire permits are still valid, Fire Services will be evaluating any new permit requests over the coming days on a case-by-case basis.
Landowners and industry members are strongly encouraged to inspect any previously burned piles from the winter to confirm they are fully extinguished.
Safe campfires for cooking and warmth are still permitted, but extreme caution is urged, especially with forecasted strong winds. As a reminder, burning is not allowed when winds reach, or are forecasted to reach, 12 kilometers per hour or higher.
For up-to-date information on your area's fire advisories, restrictions, or bans, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca or contact Regional Fire Service at 780-532-9727.
Backgrounder
Depending on the conditions, the County of Grande Prairie uses the following tiered system to temporarily limit activities that may lead to wildfires. Fire advisories, restrictions or bans can reduce human-cause wildfires.
Fire Advisory: The fire danger rating has increased. Fire permits may be restricted. Safe campfires are allowed in campgrounds and backcountry or random camping areas, but this level is a warning they may be restricted if the situation doesn't improve.
Fire Restriction: A fire restriction prohibits the use of wood campfires on public land but does allow wood campfires inside provincial campgrounds and private property. Fire permits may be restricted, suspended, or cancelled and no new fire permits will be issued.
Fire Ban: A fire ban prohibits wood campfires on public land, campgrounds, and private land including backyard fire pits. Fire permits will be suspended or cancelled, and no new permits will be issued.
Fire Permits
Residents in the Town of Wembley do NOT require a fire permit for recreational fire pits. Fire advisories, Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans put in place by the County of Grande Prairie DO apply within Town limits. Industrial burn permits are issued on a case-by-case basis within town limits. For any questions regarding industrial burning, please contact the Wembley Fire Department directly at 780-766-3170.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for a list of materials that are not permitted to be burned within Town limits.
Are you located outside the Town of Wembley? Residents in the County of Grande Prairie require a valid fire permit for any burning, including recreational fire pits, burn barrels, incinerators, and brush piles.
To contact a Fire Guardian about obtaining a fire permit in the County of Grande Prairie, click the link here - County of Grande Prairie Fire Guardians.
Town of Wembley Fire Pit Criteria
In the Town of Wembley, a residential fire pit must meet the following criteria:
- A minimum of 3-metres (10ft) of clearance, measured from the nearest fire pit edge, is maintained from buildings, property lines, or other combustible material
- A minimum of one and a half times the height of the fire pit of noncombustible material surrounding the outer perimeter of the fire pit
- The fire pit height does not exceed 0.6 metres (2ft) when measured from the surrounding grade to the top of the pit opening
- The fire pit opening does not exceed 1 metre (3ft) in width or in diameter when measured between the widest points or outside edges
- The fire pit installation has enclosed sides made from bricks, concrete blocks, heavy gauge metal, or other non-combustible materials
- A spark arrester mesh screen with openings no larger than 1.25 cm (0.5") and constructed of expanded metal (or equivalent non-combustible material) is used to cover the fire opening in a manner sufficient to contain and reduce the hazards of airborne sparks
- The fire pit is not located over any underground utilities or under any above-ground wires
Forest Protection Area
Updated - April 30, 2025
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.
The wildfire danger across the Grande Prairie Forest Area is HIGH, which means that forest fuels, such as grass and vegetation, are dry and fire risk is serious. Conditions may be challenging for fire suppression efforts. We're expecting high winds in the area. Please use caution while working or recreating outdoors.
If you see smoke or flame in the forest and suspect it's a wildfire, call 310-FIRE.
Wildfire Situation
Since January 1, 2025 there have been 15 wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area burning a total of 6 hectares (ha). Learn more about wildfire status and view active wildfires, their locations and stats on the interactive map on our wildfire status page.
There are 6 active wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area with 5 classified as under control and 1 being held. At this time, no communities are threatened by these 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. To learn more, visit hazard reduction burns.
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.
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.
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TODAY'S FIRE DANGER FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE AREA IS