The wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area is VERY HIGH to EXTREME.
- Click here for the Annual Fire Service Report 2023 -
The Wembley Fire Department is a dedicated Professional Volunteer Fire Department that operates as a division of the Town of Wembley.
The Wembley Fire Department, under service contract, provides Fire, Rescue, and Medical First Response to the County Of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service and is the Primary Emergency Response Agency for the Town Of Wembley. The Fire Service contract renewed in 2022 with the County of Grande Prairie now includes administrative services provided by the County Regional Fire Services Management Team inclusive of two administrative staff, one Fire Chief, two Deputy Chiefs (Operations, Training, and Logistics), Two District Chiefs (Stationed out of Wembley and Sexsmith) and the Fire Marshall who looks after investigations, inspections, code compliance, fire prevention, and education.
Our Department holds a high standard with support from our Mayor and Council with the goal of providing our citizens and neighbors the highest quality of Emergency Response Services possible. The Wembley Fire Department houses a roster of approximately 20 Volunteer Firefighters, 2 Lieutenants, and 4 Senior Firefighters. The Town staffs one Full-Time Station Captain and one Firefighter to manage daily operations Monday to Friday. During the Spring/Summer Fire Season, we staff additional Firefighters under contract to assist in annual testing, maintenance, training, and day-time incident responses. In 2024 the department transitioned to a paid on-call model for responses. This means that a member will be financially compensated for hours of work on 9-11 calls. The goal was to ensure that members were not only compensated for their efforts but also to ensure that it did not have negative financial impacts on our members.
The Wembley Fire Department in partnership with the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service trains all new members to the NFPA 1001 Level 2 through the Alberta Office of the Fire Commissioners Public Safety Division. We are fortunate to have multiple certified NFPA 1041 Instructors in-house along with a certified First Aid and two Basic Life Support instructors. In addition to recruit training, our members meet every Thursday night for 3 hours to train on specific topics to ensure we display competence in our skills annually. The Wembley Fire Department Training Grounds houses multiple training structures and props. Most of the facilities have been purchased and constructed through donations, grant funding and volunteer work. Our facilities include a two-story Class A burn facility (shown below) which was upgraded from a single-story in late 2023 thanks to a $30,000 contribution from Ovintiv. We also house car fire props, dumpster fire props, cold smoke structures, forcible entry and more!
Have you ever wondered why when you call 911 for an ambulance the Fire Department shows up? The Wembley Fire Department noticed that due to the community's unique location between the City of Grande Prairie and the Town Of Beaverlodge, response for an ambulance can be delayed. The Fire Department is set up with Alberta Health Services as a Full Medical Co-Response Agency meaning we will respond to any medical emergency in our district no matter the severity.
If it's not fires or medical emergencies, you have likely seen us out on Highway 43, the twined provincial highway that runs in the middle of our jurisdiction. We are fortunate to have several members with advanced training in vehicle extrication and stabilization. This is accompanied by 1 heavy rescue truck, and 1 engine both with full sets of hydraulic rescue tools "The Jaws of Life" We are prepared to best serve not only those who live here but those who visit, work, or are travelling through the area.
Many of you have most likely heard the large roof-mounted siren at the Fire Hall sound from time to time.......sorry about waking you up in the middle of the night. This siren is set off when the responding officer believes the Incident at hand can pose an imminent danger in the community. Such events are a confirmed structure fire, gas leak, or environmental emergency. We limit testing of this siren to about once per year, when we plan to test it we will update our Facebook page with the date and time.
We are always happy to offer station tours, and educational materials to families, businesses, and schools at your request. Feel free to stop by the hall anytime! if we are not here contact numbers are posted on the main entrance of the hall.
Please check out https://www.facebook.com/wembleyfiredepartment to see what we are up to.
Facebook: @wembleyfiredepartment
Instagram: @wembleyfiredepartment
For information regarding the Fire Department please contact District Fire Chief Matt Smith at masmith@countygp.ab.ca
Address: 9928 100 Street, Box 325, Wembley, AB, T0H 3S0
Office Phone: 780-766-3170
Office Hours: Monday - Friday from 0800-1700
*For Emergencies please call 9-1-1*
Ready to help? Find the application for Paid On-Call Volunteer Firefighters at the bottom of this page. If you do not hear back within 14 days of submitting your application, please forward an application directly to fireoperations@wembley.ca
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LOCAL FIRE DANGER AND PERMIT INFORMATION
Residents in the Town of Wembley do not require a fire permit for recreational fire pits. Fire advisories, restrictions and bans put in place by the County of Grande Prairie apply within Town limits. Industrial burn permits are issued on a case-by-case basis. For any questions regarding industrial burning, please contact the Wembley Fire Department directly. Are you located outside the Town of Wembley? Residents outside the Town 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.
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- COUNTY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE AND AREA FIRE DANGER -
Todays fire rating is Very-High
Very-High
County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Issues Fire Ban (16:00 JULY 10, 2024)
The County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service has issued a fire ban effective at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.
The County’s fire ban is due to recent hot and dry conditions and aligns with the Alberta Forestry Fire Ban issued today for the entire Forest Protected Area of Alberta. The current fire hazard is extreme.
Existing burning permits are revoked, and no new fire permits will be issued until the ban is lifted. All fires currently burning must be extinguished immediately. Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.
Under the ban, all outdoor fires are prohibited, including:
Recreational fire pits, fires using charcoal briquettes, and any fires in County-operated parks and campgrounds.
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- Open pit burning
- Burning barrels
- Burning of refuse
- Brush piles and crop stubble
- Fireworks
The use of propane appliances, such as barbecues, is permitted.
For industry, open pit flaring is suspended.
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.
Stay informed and prepared by signing up for Voyent Alert, the multi-purpose communication service provided by the County of Grande Prairie. Receive critical alerts like fires or floods, as well as day-to-day communications. Don't wait for emergencies to strike; register today. Download the Voyent Alert! app on your iOS or Android device, or register for email, SMS, or phone alerts at https://register.voyent-alert.com. Learn more at www.countygp.ab.ca/alerts.
Fire Hazard Levels
Depending on the conditions, the County of Grande Prairie uses the following tiered system to temporarily limit activities that may lead to wildfires. Fire advisories, restrictions or bans can reduce human-cause wildfires.
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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. |
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Grande Prairie Forest Area Update
Grande Prairie Forest Area Wildfire Update - July 14, 2024
(GWF041 - Lightning caused wildfire detected by our fire lookout person, is now extinguished)
Wildfire Information
Since January 1, 2024, 42 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area burning nearly 181.90 hectares.
Since January 1, 2024, 42 wildfires have been reported in the Grande Prairie Forest Area burning nearly 181.90 hectares.
2023 carryover wildfires
There is currently one carryover fire from the 2023 wildfire season. GWF-018 2023 is listed as under control. Areas of this wildfire have remaining hotspots and are being monitored by firefighters.
A fire ban is in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Grande Prairie Forest Area, due to hot and dry conditions.
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.
Visit Alberta Fire Bans to see if a fire ban or restriction is in place in your area.
Under this fire ban:
-
All fire permits are suspended or cancelled.
-
No new fire permits will be issued.
-
Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.
Prohibited:
-
All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land, designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits.
-
Barbeque charcoal briquettes.
-
Fireworks and exploding targets.
Allowed:
-
Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances.
-
Indoor wood fires inside a structure (such as a facility, building, tent or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor.
-
Open flame oil devices (such as deep fryers and tiki torches). All devices must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards.
The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.
There is currently one carryover fire from the 2023 wildfire season. GWF-018 2023 is listed as under control. Areas of this wildfire have remaining hotspots and are being monitored by firefighters.
A fire ban is in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Grande Prairie Forest Area, due to hot and dry conditions.
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.
Visit Alberta Fire Bans to see if a fire ban or restriction is in place in your area.
Under this fire ban:
-
All fire permits are suspended or cancelled.
-
No new fire permits will be issued.
-
Some allowances can be made for essential agricultural and industrial burning, if approved by a forest officer.
Prohibited:
-
All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public land, private land, designated campgrounds, and backyard firepits.
-
Barbeque charcoal briquettes.
-
Fireworks and exploding targets.
Allowed:
-
Propane/ natural gas-powered appliances.
-
Indoor wood fires inside a structure (such as a facility, building, tent or RV) and contained within a device with a chimney and spark arrestor.
-
Open flame oil devices (such as deep fryers and tiki torches). All devices must be CSA approved and used per manufacturer’s standards.
The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Smoke
Firesmoke.ca is an online tool that tracks wildfire smoke. Visit this site to view where the smoke is coming from and how long it is expected to linger. If you have health related concerns, please call Health Link at 811.
The last minute checklist is a resource that informs residents of some key steps they can take to prepare for a wildfire emergency. After you’ve prepared your grab-and-go bag, start completing some items on this checklist to increase the resilience of your home in the IMMEDIATE ZONE.
When wildfire danger is low to moderate, updates will be issued weekly. However, when the danger escalates to high or extreme levels, updates will be provided daily if fires are active and/ or out of control.
Expect your next wildfire update on July 15, 2024, unless conditions change.
Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer
(780) 832-7235
Firesmoke.ca is an online tool that tracks wildfire smoke. Visit this site to view where the smoke is coming from and how long it is expected to linger. If you have health related concerns, please call Health Link at 811.
The last minute checklist is a resource that informs residents of some key steps they can take to prepare for a wildfire emergency. After you’ve prepared your grab-and-go bag, start completing some items on this checklist to increase the resilience of your home in the IMMEDIATE ZONE.
When wildfire danger is low to moderate, updates will be issued weekly. However, when the danger escalates to high or extreme levels, updates will be provided daily if fires are active and/ or out of control.
Expect your next wildfire update on July 15, 2024, unless conditions change.
Kelly Burke | Wildfire Information Officer
(780) 832-7235