Fire danger high as wildfire southwest of Grande Prairie triggers evacuation orders

Firefighters in the County of Grande Prairie are making significant progress in containing a wildfire that caused evacuations over the weekend, but they are warning that challenging conditions could hinder their efforts.

As of Monday morning, the regional fire service and Alberta Wildfire reported that the wildfire burning south of Grande Prairie is now 90 per cent contained. This is a major improvement from the out-of-control blaze that prompted evacuation orders in the area.

Despite the progress made by crews battling the Deer Ridge Estates wildfire, officials are concerned about the weather conditions expected on Monday. With no precipitation in the forecast and the potential for low humidity, high temperatures, and strong winds, firefighters are bracing for a challenging day ahead.

Ground crews are working in conjunction with a bucketing helicopter to extinguish any remaining hot spots and prevent the fire from spreading further. Thankfully, no homes or structures have been destroyed by the blaze so far.

The evacuation orders issued for the affected area remain in place, with residents south of Township Road 710 to 27th Avenue and east of Range Road 64 to Highway 40 still under evacuation orders. Those in the area are urged to gather essential items and evacuate to the designated location.

In addition to the wildfire near Grande Prairie, a separate blaze near the Redwater Recreation Area northeast of Edmonton has residents on edge. An evacuation alert is in effect for an area of Sturgeon County north of the North Saskatchewan River, where a state of local emergency has been declared due to an out-of-control wildfire.

As firefighters continue to battle these wildfires, the risk remains high due to dry vegetation and challenging weather conditions. Residents in affected areas are advised to stay vigilant and prepared to evacuate if necessary.

The efforts of the fire crews in Grande Prairie and Sturgeon County are commendable as they work tirelessly to contain the blazes and protect the community. With the support of residents and favorable conditions, they hope to bring these fires under control and ensure the safety of all those affected.