Update #7: Fire Crews Remain on Scene of Deer Ridge Estates Wildfire

Tuesday, May6, 2025,8:30 a.m. –County Regional Fire Servicecrewsremainedon sceneof the Deer Ridge Estates Wildfireovernight last night and intotoday,scanning the area with a thermal imaging drone andactioning hotspots. The wildfire continues to be classified as being held.

Fire crews were able toestablisha good perimeter;there should be no opportunity for the fire to pick up and begin moving.Smoke will continue to be visible from hotspotslocatedin the middle of the wildfire zone that cannot be accessed due todifficult terrain.Residentsshouldcall911 ifthey see anyopen flame.

Evacuees werepermittedto return home at7:00 p.m. Monday evening.

Resources from Peace River were released last night. Crews fromtheMD ofSmoky Riverand theMD ofNorthern Sunrise Countyremain on site,providing assistance toCounty crews.

Today’s weather conditionsare not favourable for fire behaviourgiven higher temperatures andexpectedwindy conditions. There is no precipitation in the forecast.

Residents were provided withthe Re-entry Plan for the Deer Ridge Estates Wildfire lastevening– theplan canalsobe found by visitingthe Resources section at www.gprep.ca. Theplanincludesdirections for addressing thered fire retardant droppedby air tankers onproperties.This action wasnecessaryas part of the wildfire response.

ATCOequipment and trucksremainin thearea asstaffcontinue toconduct infrastructure repairs.

A fire ban remains in effectfor the entire County ofGrandePrairie and the towns of Beaverlodge,Sexsmithand Wembley.

A call centre line has beenestablishedfor evacuees–780-830-5002.The call centre hourshavereturned to regular operational hours, 8:00 a.m. to6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

All updates are availableat www.gprep.ca and on the @GPREPalerts Facebook and X social media channels.

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Media contact:

Information Officer
Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP)
Info@gprepeoc.com