ALERT: Effective at 2pm on Thursday, May 29, 2025, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service will be issuing a Fire Ban for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.
Town of Wembley Fire Advisories, Restrictions and Bans
Updated - June 5, 2025
Fire Ban Issued
Effective at 2pm on Thursday, May 29, 2025, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service will be issuing a Fire Ban for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.
Existing burning permits are suspended, and no new fire permits will be issued until the ban is lifted.
Under the ban, all fires currently burning must be extinguished. The ban also prohibits wood fires in engineered facilities in campgrounds, the lighting and display of fireworks or the use of exploding targets and the lighting of any fires in County operated parks and campgrounds
The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve. Read more about the current fire ban status at www.countygp.ab.ca/fireban. View all current fire restrictions and bans in place across the province at www.albertafirebans.ca.
| Fire Hazard Level | Description |
|---|---|
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 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 Advisory | A fire advisory is issued if 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. |
| No Restriction | Normal burning rules apply. |
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 meters (2ft) when measured from the surrounding grade to the top of the pit opening
- The fire pit opening does not exceed 1 meters (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 June 14, 2025 at 13:50hrs
The fire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area is LOW
Cooler temperatures and recent rain have reduced the overall risk. However, wildfires can still start, especially in dry areas or during windy conditions, so it is important to continue using caution with outdoor fires and do your part to prevent wildfires.
Wildfire situation
GWF028 - Blueberry Mountain wildfire by Moonshine Lake Provincial Park
This lightning-caused wildfire remains classified as out of control. It is estimated to be 5,502 hectares in size. This wildfire received over 30mm of rain in the past 24 hours with additional rain expected to continue in the forecast. These conditions are helping crews make good progress on this wildfire, especially helping to strengthen and build containment lines with heavy equipment.
The fireguard at Moonshine Lake Provincial Park continues to be maintained by Savanna Fire Department. Happy Valley Fire Department is monitoring for hot spots and sparks crossing the road. Alberta Wildfire continues to respond with firefighting crews, heavy equipment, and aircraft, when smoke conditions allow for safe flight operations. Alberta Parks remains actively involved in supporting the wildfire response in the Moonshine Lake Provincial Park.
Saddle Hills County evacuation order and alert
Saddle Hills County's evacuation order and evacuation alert remain in effect. Moonshine Lake Provincial Park has been evacuated and remains closed.
See Alberta Emergency Alert for evacuation zone information and further details.
Saddle Hills County's Emergency Coordination Centre continues to be operational. If evacuees require assistance, the County requests people call them at (780) 864-2031. For more details, including evacuee information, visit the Saddle Hills County webpage or Facebook page.
Road reports
Silver Valley road (Range Road 95) is now closed from Highway 49 to Township Road 810 due to the wildfire. Please see Saddle Hills County for the most up to date information.
Primary highway information can be found at 511 Alberta.
GBZ001 (Kiskatinaw River wildfire) - Rain boosts firefighting efforts
The fire is estimated at 26,627 hectares and remains classified as out of control. It is burning near the Alberta–British Columbia border, approximately 68 km west of Grande Prairie, in the Kelly Lake area.
Firefighting crews are working on strengthening containment lines, supported by aircraft. Heavy equipment continues working on building a fireguard on the northeast side of the fire. These operations are essential for creating tight, secure containment lines that prevent further spread.
For more information on this wildfire and others in B.C., visit the BC Wildfire Service website.
Unified command
Alberta Wildfire and the BC Wildfire Service continue operating under unified command to coordinate efforts in containing this wildfire. This unified command is also working closely with the County of Grande Prairie and the Peace River Regional District to ensure a coordinated regional response.
County of Grande Prairie evacuation order and alert
The County of Grande Prairie has lifted the evacuation order, but an evacuation alert remains in effect.
- Alberta residents - for more details, visit the Alberta Emergency Alert website or download the app. For the most up to date information, go to the County of Grande Prairie website or their Facebook page.
- British Columbia residents - visit the Peace River Regional District website or their Facebook page.
Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) assisting evacuees
GPREP remains activated and is assisting evacuees living within the County of Grande Prairie. Updates can be found on the GREP website and Facebook page. Public can also reach GPREP at (780) 830-5002.
Road reports
Please visit 511 Alberta for the most up to date Alberta road reports, and DriveBC for British Columbia roads.
GWF040 - Wildfire south of Grande Prairie
Alberta Wildfire continues to respond to wildfire GWF040, located approximately 78 km south of Grande Prairie and 19 km east of Highway 40. This wildfire is estimated at 247 hectares in size, with firefighting crews, heavy equipment, and aircraft actively working in the area. It remains classified as out of control. This wildfire has been receiving rain which has helped with firefighting efforts.
Grande Prairie Forest Area statistics
Since January 1, there have been 40 wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area, burning a total of 5,766 hectares.
Learn more about active wildfires, their locations and stats on the interactive map on our wildfire status page.
Published on June 14, 2025 13:50hrs via: https://www.alberta.ca/wildfire-update-grande-prairie-forest-area
__________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S FIRE DANGER FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE AREA IS