Wildfire

UPDATE: June 11, 2025

Overnight conditions reduced fire activity, but heavy smoke limited visibility, impacting planned operations. Today, progress continues on the Kiskatinaw River Wildfire as weather conditions are expected to improve. 

The size of the wildfire is 21,679 hectares. The evacuation order and alert issued by the County of Grande Prairie remain in effect. 

Operations 

UPDATE: June 11, 2025

Overnight the wildfire crossed into the west side of the Moonshine Lake Provincial Park boundaries. The Savanna Fire Department is standing by, ready to protect structures. The County of Saddle Hills is constructing a fire guard between the wildfire and Moonshine Lake in coordination with Alberta Parks. Blueberry and Happy Valley fire departments are also supporting firefighting operations in the area.

The St. Laurent Fire Department is proudly unveiling a major addition to its emergency response fleet, a custom-built Wildland Type 5 Firefighting Apparatus, designed specifically to meet the growing need for wildland fire protection in the area.

This new vehicle represents more than just a tool in the department’s arsenal, it’s a homegrown success story.

The Rural Municipality of St. Laurent is actively offering support to evacuees affected by the recent wildfires, even though the area itself is not a designated evacuation zone.

Reeve Richard Chartrand says the community is prepared to provide assistance and is calling for volunteers to help with ongoing efforts.

“We started yesterday (Wednesday) and we had zero people show up, but it was our first day to start and we kind of expected that,” Chartrand notes.

The Dawson Creek Emergency Reception Centre has relocated from Sudeten Hall to City Hall, 10105 12A Street for the duration of Wednesday, June 4 to Friday, June 6. The Dawson Creek ESS Team will be on site to continue supporting Kelly Lake and One Island Lake evacuees with food, lodging and supplies. 

• Location: Lower Level, City Hall, 10105 12A Street  

• Hours: 9:00hrs to 13:00hrs - Wednesday, June 4 to Friday, June 6

• ESS Support Line: 1-250-784-4681 – support will be available from 8:00hrs to 17:00hrs  

The County of Grande Prairie has issued an expanded evacuation alert area for a wildfire burning southwest of Kelly Lake due to significant fire growth. The evacuation alert area has been expanded north and south to include everyone north of Township Road 710 to Township Road 740, east of the British Columbia/Alberta border to Range Road 130. No evacuation is required at this time. If an evacuation order is issued, residents will have 30 minutes to evacuate. 

Manitoba RCMP say they’re seeing an uptick in calls for service in communities housing wildfire evacuees, including Portage la Prairie, Thompson and Dauphin.

About 260 people forced from their homes in northern Manitoba arrived in Portage late last week, with some later relocated to other communities.

As wildfire evacuees continue arriving in Portage la Prairie, a local animal rescue is stepping up to help the four-legged members of their families.

Rest Stop Rescue, based in Portage, is providing a range of support to evacuees with pets.

The group is helping with everything from transportation to veterinary clinics, to securing medication and covering other urgent care needs. So far, they’ve assisted three evacuees.

There's an air quality warning in effect for the Grande Prairie area.

Smoke is causing very poor air quality and reduced visibility.

Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour. Some areas will see improved air quality Wednesday.

Residents are advised to limit time outdoors. Reschedule or cancel outdoor sports, activities and events.

You can learn more about how to protect yourself at airhealth.ca

Portage la Prairie residents are seeing some relief as the thick wildfire smoke that shrouded the area over the weekend is beginning to clear.

Shannon Moodie, meteorologist with Environment Canada, says the air quality started improving early Monday morning.

"There’s some heavier smoke lingering in the eastern part of the region, just closer to Winnipeg,” she noted.

Environment Canada and Manitoba Health have issued a special air quality statement for Portage and areas east. In addition, an air quality warning is in effect for areas of the Interlake.