Fire Advisory in Effect - May 20, 2025

As of May 20, 2025, at 2 p.m., Saddle Hills County has downgraded the Fire Ban to a FIRE ADVISORY.

This Fire Advisory is in place for all non-Forest Protection Areas. A Fire Ban remains in place for the Grande Prairie Forest Area, which includes Cotillion Park, Hilltop Lake, and Spring Lake campgrounds. 

Prohibited

  • Burning of brush piles or windrows
  • Fireworks and exploding targets on Crown Land

Not Recommended

  • Open burning of dead grass, bales, and stubble.

Allowed with Caution

  • Campfires in non-combustible manufactured firepits
  • Charcoal briquettes in approved barbeques
  • Portable propane firepits
  • Gas or propane stoves and barbeques
  • Catalytic or infrared style heaters
  • Wood fires in an enclosed facility or device, which has a chimney with a spark arrestor
  • Burning barrels, with a minimum distance of 30m from structures and 6m from other combustible materials
  • Burning of hand-piled agricultural brush and wood debris, max 2 cubic meters
  • Off-Highway vehicles

Under this Advisory new permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis, and only for essential purposes.

To check for Fire Advisories, Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans, visit albertafirebans.ca

The Fire Advisory will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Alberta Crop Report - May 13, 2025

By Saddle Hills County - May 21, 2025

Significant seeding progress occurred over the past week, as warm and dry conditions throughout most of the province limited interruptions. Provincial seeding progress of major crops is reported at 47 per cent, ahead of the 5-year historical average of 26 per cent for this week (Table 1). Seeding progress of all major crops remains ahead of both the 5-year and 10-year averages in all regions (Figure 1). Reports suggest that significant precipitation events occurred just prior to reporting, which slowed seeding operations in the Central, North East, and North West regions. Throughout the past week, the South Region reported scattered showers and the Peace Region reported only light or minimal rains.  

Emergence of major crops across the province is reported at 10 per cent, ahead of the 5-year average of 3 per cent and the 10-year average of 4 per cent. Regional emergence (5-year average) of major crops is reported at 15 (10) per cent for the South Region, 19 (2) per cent for the Central Region, 3 (1) per cent for the North East Region, 5 (0) per cent for the North West Region, and 3 (1) per cent for the Peace Region. 

Recent precipitation improved surface soil moisture ratings in the Central and North East regions. Provincial surface soil (0-6”) moisture good-to-excellent ratings are reported as 59 per cent, near both the 5-year and 10-year average of 60 per cent (Table 2). Regional surface soil moisture good-to-excellent ratings (change from last week) are reported at 50 (-2) per cent in the South Region, 85 (+20) per cent for the Central Region, 45 (+13) per cent for the North East Region, 41 (+0) per cent for the North West Region, and 56 (-11) per cent for the Peace Region.  

Similarly, sub-surface (below 6”) soil moisture ratings also improved in the Central and North East regions last week. Provincial sub-surface moisture good-to-excellent ratings were reported as 53 per cent, which is below the 5-year average of 56 per cent and the 10-year average of 59 per cent. Regional sub-surface soil moisture good-to-excellent ratings (change from last week) are reported as 45 (-6) per cent in the South Region, 65 (+13) per cent for the Central Region, 41 (+5) per cent for the North East Region, 52 (-3) per cent for the North West Region, and 70 (-10) per cent for the Peace Region.

Growth conditions for pasture this week improved in the Central, North West, and Peace regions. Provincial good-to-excellent growth conditions were reported at 59 per cent, ahead of the 5-year average of 48 per cent. Regional pasture good-to-excellent growth conditions (change from last week) are reported as 51 (-8) per cent for the South Region, 74 (+10) per cent for the Central Region, 45 (-12) per cent for the North East Region, 70 (+4) per cent for the North West Region, and 44 (+3) per cent for the Peace Region. 

Tame hay growth conditions were reported as improving in the Central, North West, and Peace regions. The provincial good-to-excellent rating of 59 per cent is higher than the 5-year average of 44 per cent for this week. Regional tame hay good-to-excellent growth conditions (change from last week) are reported as 49 (-9) per cent for the South Region, 75 (+4) per cent for the Central Region, 41 (-15) per cent for the North East Region, 81 (+7) per cent for the North West Region, and 41 (+2) per cent for the Peace Region. 

Regional Assessment - Region 5:Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)

  • Major crops seeding progress is 27 per cent complete, compared to the 5-year average of 19 per cent. 
  • Emergence stands at 8 per cent for spring wheat, 3 per cent for dry peas, and 2 per cent for both barley and oats. 
  • Reported sub-surface moisture is 3 per cent poor, 27 per cent fair, 63 per cent good, 7 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive. 
  • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 20 per cent poor, 39 per cent fair, 37 per cent good, and 4 per cent excellent. 

Contact Us

Saddle Hills
Junction of Hwy 49 & Secondary Hwy 725
RR1, Spirit River AB
T0H 3G0
T. 780-864-3760
Fax 780-864-3904
Toll-free 1-888-864-3760
frontdesk@saddlehills.ab.ca

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