Dunes West wildfire evacuation area not expected to expand overnight

An expansion of the evacuation area south of Grande Prairie is not expected overnight. As of 12:15 a.m. Saturday, the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership says crews fighting the Dunes West wildfire don’t anticipate needing to evacuate more people in the next several hours.

“Fire crews are working though the night with contracted services to establish a fire perimeter to reduce the spread of the wildfire. Crews anticipate overnight weather conditions will assist with fire control.”

Firefighters are also working with Technical Search and Rescue to secure the perimeter of the evacuated area north of the Wapiti River, which is from Township Road 710 south to the Wapiti River and between Highway 40 and Range Road 73. According to Alberta Wildfire, the fire is eight kilometres southeast of Dimsdale and estimated to be 400 hectares in size.

All high-risk areas have been evacuated at this point and an evacuation alert is not in effect for the City of Grande Prairie. The evacuee reception centre at Bonnetts Energy Centre will stay open overnight for support and resources. The call centre will be available beginning at 8 a.m. at 1-825-606-5092.