Uncontrolled Wildfire Threatens Grande Prairie, Alta.

Uncontrolled Wildfire Threatens Grande Prairie, Alta. Smoke billows from a wildfire located southwest of Grande Prairie, Alberta, on May 4, 2025. An uncontrolled wildfire advancing rapidly towards Grande Prairie has prompted evacuations, according to civic officials and police on Sunday afternoon. 

The province's emergency alert system has instructed all residents in the area south of Township Road 710 to 27 Avenue and east of Range Road 64 to Highway 40 to "evacuate immediately." Authorities have closed roads and are rerouting traffic in affected areas. Grande Prairie has a population of 65,000. Alberta RCMP reported to CTV News Edmonton that the fire ignited at Range Road 64 and Township Road 710, approximately four kilometers southwest of the city limits.

They indicated that the fire is nearing an industrial park. A wildfire visible from a residence in Wembley, Alberta, around 20 kilometers west of Grande Prairie, has expanded and is approaching the city limits since it began on May 4, 2025. In a late Sunday afternoon media release, the County of Grande Prairie stated that firefighters from the county, the city, and Alberta Wildfire personnel responded to the fire reported near Deer Ridge Estates, located on Range Road 64 between Township Roads 704 and 710. The county noted that the blaze has moved beyond the lake at Deer Ridge Estates. Luke Shropshire, a contractor residing in Grande Prairie, informed CTV News Edmonton that around 2 p.m., while working on a roof in the Westpointe neighborhood, he noticed smoke rising in the southwest sky. Shropshire observed that emergency responders, including firefighters and police, acted swiftly to reach the fire and establish roadblocks.

He reported seeing bomber planes dropping what looked like a red chemical on the flames. Residents of Grande Prairie have shared on social media sightings of multiple planes, helicopters, ground crews, and two water bombers combatting the blaze. Evacuees are advised to check in with officials at the Pomeroy Hotel in Grande Prairie and are recommended to take essential documents, medications, and medical devices with them when leaving their homes.
CTV News