ALERT: Effective at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service will downgrade the Fire Restriction to a Fire Advisory for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.
Town of Wembley Fire Advisories, Restrictions and Bans
Updated - June 24, 2025 at 13:20hrs
County Downgrades Fire Restriction to Fire Advisory
Effective at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service will downgrade the Fire Restriction to a Fire Advisory for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.
“The recent precipitation combined with cooler temperatures has helped reduce the overall wildfire risk,” says County Chief Trevor Grant. “Conditions can still be dry in some areas, and wildfires can easily start under the right circumstances, so we’re asking residents to use caution with any outdoor burning.”
While the Fire Advisory is in effect, fire permits may be restricted.
Burning is not allowed when winds reach, or are forecasted to reach, 12 kilometres per hour or higher.
Landowners and industry members are strongly encouraged to continue to inspect any previously burned piles from the winter to confirm they are fully extinguished.
For up-to-date information on your area's fire advisories, restrictions, or bans, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca or contact Regional Fire Service at 780-532-9727.
For safe burning practices, visit www.countygp.ab.ca/fire or contact the Regional Fire Service at 780-532-9727.
| 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 limits of Wembley do NOT require a fire permit for recreational fire pits. However, Fire advisories, Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans put in place by the County of Grande Prairie DO apply within Town limits. It is your responsibility to ensure you know when, where and what you can burn. Always check verified websites or sources for information related to fire bans. For the Town of Wembley or the County of Grande Prairie, you can find always find updated information related to burning by visiting https://www.countygp.ab.ca/en/living-in-our-community/fire-bans.aspx or by typing "County of Grande Prairie Fire Bans" into your search engine.
When in doubt, call the Wembley Fire Department or the County of Grande Prairie directly.
Wembley Fire Department: 780-766-3170
County of Grande Prairie Administration Building: 780-532-9722
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, or to learn more about the Wembley Fire & Emergency Services Bylaw 735.
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
Published on July 30, 2025
High wildfire danger
The wildfire danger is now high in the Grande Prairie Forest Area. Warmer temperatures have increased the danger level, and current conditions could lead to fast-moving wildfires.
Please use extra caution when recreating or working outdoors.
Wildfire situation
For the most current information on active wildfires, including their locations and stats, visit our interactive wildfire map or download the AB Wildfire Status app.
GWF028 - The Hamelin Creek wildfire
The Hamelin Creek wildfire, located near Moonshine Lake Provincial Park, remains classified as being held and is estimated at 5,557 hectares (ha). Firefighters, along with support from heavy equipment and helicopters, continue making steady progress by reinforcing containment lines and extinguishing hot spots. While recent scattered rain has helped, GWF028 continues to burn deep underground. The wildfire was caused by lightning.
For information on Moonshine Lake Provincial Park, visit the Alberta Parks website.
For municipality-related updates, visit the Saddle Hills County website.
A helicopter at the Alberta Forestry Valleyview Staging Camp. Aircraft play a key role in wildfire response efforts, including on GWF-028. Staging areas like this support crews and equipment working across the Grande Prairie Forest Area. Photo: July 8.
GBZ001 - Kiskatinaw River wildfire
The Kiskatinaw River wildfire, which started in British Columbia on May 28, remains classified as being held. It is estimated at 26,277 ha in size and is located near the Alberta–British Columbia border, approximately 68 km west of Grande Prairie. The wildfire was caused by lightning.
Unburned fuels within the wildfire perimeter may continue to burn and produce smoke, especially with warmer weather in the forecast. This area remains hazardous, with active fire, falling trees, smoke and unstable ground posing serious safety risks. Even areas that appear quiet can quickly become dangerous if wind conditions change or fire activity increases.
The BC Wildfire Service is leading the response to this wildfire, with Alberta Wildfire providing support as needed.
For more information on this wildfire and others in B.C., visit the BC Wildfire Service website.
Grande Prairie Forest Area statistics
Since January 1, there have been 83 wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area, burning a total of 5,877 ha.
Fire advisory
A fire advisory is in effect for the Grande Prairie Forest Area.
Under this advisory:
- Existing fire permits are valid. Remember fire permits are not valid in winds over 12 km/h.
- New fire permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis, for essential burning only.
- Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire is prohibited.
Campfire safety
Abandoned campfires cause wildfires every year in Alberta. These human-caused wildfires are completely preventable. Never leave a campfire unattended and always fully extinguish it when you are done. Soak it, stir it and soak it again, until the coals are cool to the touch.
Prevent wildfires
Many wildfires are human-caused. Please do your part and follow these tips to help prevent wildfires:
- Off-highway vehicles – Stop frequently and remove debris build-up from your machine's hot spots. Carry firefighting equipment such as a shovel, water pack or fire extinguisher.
- Safe trailering – Before towing, always ensure your safety chains are crossed under the hitch and are not dragging. Dragging chains can cause sparks that can lead to the start of a wildfire.
- Farming equipment – Cleaning out debris from hot spots and regularly maintaining equipment will decrease the risk of starting a wildfire.
- Don’t park in tall grass – The heat from your vehicle’s muffler can ignite dry grass. Always park on bare ground or gravel.
- Use equipment safely – Operate spark-producing equipment away from dry grass and always have a shovel and water source on hand.
Published on July 30, 2025 4:04 pm
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TODAY'S FIRE DANGER FOR THE TOWN OF WEMBLEY AND AREA IS