The fire advisory is lifted. As of 9 a.m. on June 30, you can light your fire pit and burn barrel again across the Grande Prairie region with conditions.
The County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service lifted the advisory that had been in place since June 5 for the entire county and the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley. The City of Grande Prairie lifted its own advisory the same morning. Alberta Wildfire lifted all restrictions in the Grande Prairie Forest Area on the same day, aligning the provincial and municipal decisions.
Rain and cooler temperatures across the region dropped wildfire danger to low. That is the threshold that triggers a lift.
What you can do now
Fire pits and burn barrels are permitted again across the city, county, Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley.
Campfires are permitted.
Burn permits can be issued again by the county. If your existing permit was paused during the advisory, it is valid again. Check with County Regional Fire Service at 780-532-9727 to confirm the status of any existing permit before burning.
What you still cannot do
The advisory being lifted does not mean anything goes.
Burning is never permitted when winds reach or are forecast to reach 12 kilometres per hour or higher. That rule applies year-round regardless of whether an advisory is in effect. Check wind conditions before you light anything.
You still need a permit for any burning that is not a campfire. Permits are required throughout fire season. Burning without a valid permit other than a campfire is prohibited.
All normal safe burning practices apply: remain on site until burning is completely finished, keep water nearby, and never leave a fire unattended.
What the advisory covered and what triggered the lift
The county's fire advisory went into place June 5 following dry conditions and warm temperatures across the region. It followed a fire restriction that had been in effect from May 9 during which no new fire permits were issued and only approved fire pits, burn barrels, or industrial bins within proper enclosures were permitted.
The return of precipitation across the region brought wildfire danger down to low. Both the city and county moved to lift on June 30 once conditions met the threshold for rescinding the advisory.
"Preventing wildfires doesn't fall on just one person or one department it takes everyone," said City of Grande Prairie Fire Marshal Chris Renyk. "Whether you're putting out a cigarette properly or reminding a friend to check wind conditions before lighting a fire, small actions matter. We all have a role to play in keeping our community safe during fire season."
The tiered system explained
The county uses a three-level system to manage wildfire risk. A fire advisory is the lowest level it means conditions are elevated but burns with a valid permit are still allowed under restrictions. A fire restriction is the middle level no new permits are issued and only enclosed burning is permitted. A fire ban is the highest level all outdoor burning is prohibited with no exceptions.
Right now the region is below all three levels. No advisory, restriction, or ban is in effect.
Will the advisory come back
Almost certainly before wildfire season ends October 31.
The 2026 season has already shown how fast conditions shift. The county's advisory went from nothing to in place on May 5, a fire restriction followed four days later, and the region went from free burning to its tightest restrictions in under a week.
The national wildfire outlook forecasts above-normal fire conditions across Alberta heading into July and August. The federal government has flagged Alberta among the provinces facing the highest wildfire risk as summer progresses. 29 wildfires ignited in the Grande Prairie Forest Area between January and late May — a manageable number so far, but heat and wind can change that quickly.
Watch albertafirebans.ca throughout the summer.
Where to check for updates
Conditions can change quickly. Before burning, check the current status at countygp.ab.ca/fireban for the county and Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley. For the city, check cityofgp.com/firebans. For provincial restrictions check albertafirebans.ca. If you see a wildfire, call 310-FIRE immediately.
Sources:
County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service, Fire Advisory to be Lifted for Entire County and Surrounding Towns on June 30, 2026 (countygp.ab.ca/news/posts/fire-advisory-to-be-lifted-for-entire-county-and-surrounding-towns-on-june-30-2026)
City of Grande Prairie Fire Department, Fire Advisory Lifted for the City of Grande Prairie, June 30, 2026 (cityofgp.com/culture-community/news-events/news/fire-department/fire-advisory-lifted-city-grande-prairie-0)
Alberta Wildfire, Grande Prairie Forest Area restrictions lifted, June 30, 2026 (albertafirebans.ca)
City of Grande Prairie Fire Marshal Chris Renyk, statement June 30, 2026
