Wildfire

There are currently three fires classified as OUT OF CONTROL and four classified as BEING HELD in the Peace River Forest Area.

A wildfire burning 17 km southwest of Keg River is classified as Out of Control.

Air tankers, firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment operators continue their fire suppression efforts to contain and control this wildfire. The cause is lightning.

The communities of John D'Or Prairie, Fox Creek, and Garden River have all been evacuated due to wildfires in the area.

At this time, RCMP is advising that Highway 58 is now closed at the Beaver Ranch turn off.

County Regional Fire Service is responding to two wildfires. Yesterday, some hot spots were detected from Saturday's fire located south of Range Road 51 on the north bank of the Wapiti River. At approximately 8:00 p.m. last night, a new fire was discovered south of Range Road 44 near the Bear River. There is currently no threat to the public. 

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued an evacuation alert for the hamlet of Janvier and the Janvier 194 community of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation due to a nearby wildfire.

Although the community and First Nation are currently not at risk, the evacuation alert remains in place due to potential smoke hazards. Additionally, the State of Local Emergency declared by Little Red River Cree Nation on July 10 is still in effect.

Starting tomorrow, the BC Wildfire Service is implementing a campfire ban in all parts of B.C., except Haida Gwaii.    

The ban will take effect at noon (Pacific time) on Friday, July 12, 2024, and will remain until further notice.

The ban is being implemented to help prevent human-caused wildfires and help protect public safety. The category 1 (campfires) ban is in addition to current provincewide bans for category 2 and 3 fires. This means open fires of any size, except those licensed for prescribed burns, will be prohibited everywhere in B.C., outside of Haida Gwaii.

The Peace River Regional District has issued an Evacuation Alert #1 for the Tupper Creek Wildfire.

This wildfire is currently listed as Out of Control, and anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter, or control line.

Due to the potential danger to life and health, the following area is asked to be on alert:

-198 Road and the BC Provincial border

-West to Hwy 2 and 198 Road

-Continuing west along the 198 Road to the Kiskatinaw River

Hundreds of people in northern Alberta have been ordered to flee their homes because of a wildfire.

Little Red River Cree Nation issued an evacuation order yesterday for the 700 residents of Garden River, a community in Wood Buffalo National Park.

A provincial alert says the community is not in any immediate danger, but there were concerns the fire could cut off access to the only road in.

Officials estimate the wildfire to be about 400 square kilometres in size and say it was caused by lightning.

On Tuesday an Evacuation Order was issued by the Fort Nelson First Nation for the Kahntah Reserve in Northeastern B.C.

Areas affected include:

-112 km Southeast of IR#2 FNFN

-109 km Northeast of Prophet River

-48 km Northeast of Fontas Reserve

-116 km Southeast of Fort Nelson

Residents and visitors were informed they must leave immediately by boat. 

Firefighting efforts are underway and remain a significant distance away from the Fort Nelson First Nation IR#2 reserve and the settled area Fort Nelson.

A fire ban is now in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

All fire permits issued by Alberta’s government are now suspended or cancelled, and no new fire permits will be issued while the ban is in place.

Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands (such as national parks), are exempt from this ban. These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.

Effective at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, the City of Grande Prairie Fire Department has issued a Fire Ban within the municipal boundaries. The ban is in place due to hot and dry conditions, creating an extreme fire hazard threat for the area.