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 - May 29, 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 May 29, 2025
Fire Ban Issued
A fire ban is now in effect for the Grande Prairie Forest Area. Under this ban, all outdoor wood fires are prohibited and existing fire permits are suspended.
Prohibited:
- All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public and private land, designated firepits and backyard firepits
- Barbecue charcoal briquettes
- Fireworks and exploding targets
Allowed:
- Propane fire pits and natural gas-powered appliances
- Indoor wood fires
- Open flame oil devices
The fire ban will remain in place until conditions improve. For details and updates, visit albertafirebans.ca.
Wildfire near Kelly Lake, BC.
Alberta Wildfire and the County of Grande Prairie are closely monitoring wildfire G70422 located near Kelly Lake, British Columbia—about 15 kilometers west of the Alberta border. While the wildfire remains in BC, proactive planning is underway should it move into Alberta.
The BC Wildfire Service is actively responding with firefighters, helicopters, air tankers, and heavy equipment. Information on BC wildfires can be found at BC Wildfire.
Residents in the Grande Prairie Forest Area may notice smoke drifting in from this wildfire. For real-time information on smoke location and movement, visit www.firesmoke.ca. If you have health concerns related to smoke exposure, contact Alberta Health Link.
Wildfire Situation
Wildfire northwest of Moonshine Lake Provincial Park (GWF028) - now being held
The wildfire located approximately 8 km northwest of Moonshine Lake Provincial Park has been reclassified as being held as of today. First detected on May 22, the wildfire remains at 97 hectares in size and is not expected to grow beyond its existing boundaries, given current weather conditions and resources. Firefighters, supported by helicopters and heavy equipment, continue to actively manage the wildfire. At this time, there is no threat to nearby communities, infrastructure, or provincial parks.
Since January 1, there have been 30 wildfires in the Grande Prairie Forest Area, burning a total of 107 hectares.
Report a Wildfire
Firefighters, equipment, and aircraft are ready to respond in the forest area, as fire danger is expected to increase with the current forecast. Many wildfires are first reported by lookout observers, members of the public, and industry partners—your eyes on the ground make a difference!
Call 310-FIRE(3473) immediately if you see smoke or flames and suspect it's a wildfire. Here's what you need to tell us:
- Location: Where is the wildfire? Use road names, GPS coordinates, or legal land descriptions to help pinpoint the location.
- What’s burning? Is it grass, trees, or crops? Is it on agricultural land?
- Fire behaviour: Is it stationary or moving? If moving, is it slower or faster than walking speed?
- Smoke color: Is the smoke light grey, dark grey, or black?
Learn more about how to report a wildfire.
Published on May 29, 2025 4:20 pm via: https://www.alberta.ca/wildfire-update-grande-prairie-forest-area
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TODAY'S FIRE DANGER FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE AREA IS