Following the lead of the Province, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service has issued a Fire Ban for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley and the Village of Hythe, effective at 4:00 p.m.

Under the fire ban order, all existing burning permits are revoked, and no new permits will be issued until the ban is lifted. Recreational off-highway vehicle (OHV) use is restricted on public lands. No outdoor or open fires are permitted until further notice, including the use of burning barrels, fireworks, exploding targets and recreational fire pits. The use of gas barbecues or propane fire pits are still permitted.

Permit requests to burn crops for agricultural purposes will be accepted.

“These preventative measures aim to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires as many of them in the spring are caused by human activity”, states Fire Marshal Ken Atamanchuk. “

By reducing the risk of wildfires, it allows our resources to focus where they are most needed, especially when our firefighting resources may be challenged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Failure to comply with the fire ban may result in a $5,000 fine as well as charges for the cost of responses.

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions change. Visit countygp.ab.ca for updates or call the Regional Fire Service office at 780-532-9727.