Fire Notice

The Hamelin Creek wildfire, located near Moonshine Lake Provincial Park, is now classified as being held, at approximately 5,557 ha. As a result of this, the Evacuation Alert for this area has been lifted. 

The State of Local Emergency issued by Saddle Hills County has expired, as of June 23, 2025, at 6:25 p.m. and the mandatory Evacuation Order has been rescinded.  However, an Evacuation Alert remains in effect for all those in the vicinity of the fire and residents should remain prepared, should conditions change.

As of June 17, 2025, the Fire Ban in Saddle Hills County and the Grande Prairie Forest Area has been downgraded to a FIRE RESTRICTION.

Due to the elevation in Fire Danger, lack of precipitation, and high outside temperatures, Saddle Hills County has issued a FIRE BAN, effective May 28, 2025. This includes all areas outside of the Grande Prairie Forest Protection Area, including private land, crown land, and recreational areas.

Wildfire GWF028 was detected on May 22, 2025, and is currently classified as Out of Control. It is located about 30 km east of Bonanza and 8 km northwest of Moonshine Lake Provincial Park, with an estimated size of 40 hectares.

As a result of higher temperatures and drying conditions, the Fire Danger Rating in Saddle Hills County has changed from HIGH to VERY HIGH.

As of May 1, 2025, the Fire Advisory in Saddle Hills County has been upgraded to a FIRE RESTRICTION.

The wildfire danger in the Grande Prairie Forest Area is HIGH. Strong and gusty winds are expected today and tomorrow and may increase the risk of wildfires starting. Stay alert for wildfires and reduce the risk of starting one. 

Alberta has declared an early start to wildfire season, 10 days early on February 20, 2024, due to low precipitation levels and warmer than normal temperatures. 

Please revisit your winter burn sites before the start of the 2024 wildfire season.

Saddle Hills County Fire Departments, along with Forestry resources, responded to an outdoor fire, that consumed a 3 hectare area, as well as a storage building and its contents, on Friday, September 15, 2023. Blueberry and Happy Valley Fire Departments helped to control the spread of the fire and keep it from candling into the trees and burning deeper down into the Ksituan valley.