City encourages residents to be proactive during upcoming fire season

The City of Grande Prairie encourages residents to be proactive in mitigating fire hazards and to not be caught unprepared in the upcoming season.

Grande Prairie is preparing for hotter and drier weather this season following a period of lower-than-normal snowfall. The combination of dry conditions and anticipated weather patterns heightens the potential for wildfires and creating the needs for proactive steps to ensure community safety and property protection.

"As we approach the onset of fire season, we ask residents to do their part to stay informed and prepared. I encourage everyone to look at the information on fire safety measures provided by our dedicated Grande Prairie Fire Department at cityofgp.com/fire, so we can all do our part to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer in the city," said Mayor Jackie Clayton.

"If you see an uncontrolled fire in the City, keep yourself safe and call 911 immediately. Be prepared to describe your location and the location of the fire in reference to you. Please keep our 911 lines clear of non-emergency items. GP911 and GPFD are ready to do our part and grateful to serve a community as resilient and resourceful as ours," said Grande Prairie Fire Chief Mark VanWerkhoven.

Residents with properties located near Wildland-Urban Interface areas or adjacent to forested City parks and ravines should be most prepared on what to do when they see a fire, how to report a fire, and how to prepare for a fire emergency.

Residents are encouraged to utilize the GPFD business line 780-538-0393 for non-emergency queries.

The Grande Prairie Fire Department also recommends:

• Clearing debris and flammable vegetation from around homes and properties.
• Creating emergency kits containing essentials such as water, non-perishable food, medications, medical supplies, battery operated or wind-up flashlight, and important documents. This kit should last for up to 72 hours.
• Pruning all tree branches within two metres of the ground and plant new trees at least three metres apart.
• Make sure all smoking materials, butts, and ash are out completely out by dousing them with water or sand prior to putting them in the trash.
• Have an emergency plan for you, your family, and your pets. You can also get your pet licensed through the City's Animal Licensing, in case of separation.
• Consider purchasing an air purifier or masks to combat smoke in the air.
• Use safe recreational practices when using ATVs or other off-road vehicles.
• Stay informed about local wildfire alerts, fire bans, and following any evacuation orders issued by signing up for notifications from the AEMA app at Alberta Emergency Alerts, Access GP, Alberta Fire Bans, AB Wildfire Status app, and Smoke Forecast.

With a little preparation, everyone can do their part to help keep the community safe this wildfire season.

More information is available at cityofgp.com/fire.