Update #21: Danger Persists as Kiskatinaw River Wildfire Remains Out of Control 

Date: June 9, 2025

Update #21: Danger Persists as Kiskatinaw River Wildfire Remains Out of Control 

Grande Prairie — Monday, June 9, 2025, 10:10 p.m. – The significant growth in size over Sunday evening’s report is a stern reminder that the Kiskatinaw River Wildfire is still out of control. The size of the wildfire is 21,679 hectares.  

Aggressive fire behaviour yesterday prompted the County of Grande Prairie to issue an expanded evacuation order and alert. The County remains committed to residents’ safety through ongoing efforts to track, predict, and take proactive measures to mitigate wildfire activity, and by issuing alerts as needed.  

Residents are encouraged to obey all evacuation orders. Whenever an evacuation order is issued, residents have just 30 minutes to leave. Those on evacuation alert must prepare to evacuate on short notice.  

Weather and Fire Behaviour 

  • Compared to recent days, winds are expected to ease slightly tomorrow, though temperatures will remain elevated and conditions will stay dry. Forecast highs range from 17 to 21°C, with minimum relative humidity between 15–25 per cent. Winds are forecast to shift from north to east-northeast in the afternoon at 10–20 km/h, gusting up to 30 km/h.  
  • Drier fuels and poor overnight humidity recovery will support ongoing fire activity, especially in exposed areas and spruce stands. 
  • The wildfire continues to progress toward containment lines along the north side.  
  • On the northeast section of the fire, crews were actively fighting fire, though operations were challenged by spotting ahead of the fire front. 

Operations 

  • If conditions allow, crews are preparing to conduct planned ignitions tomorrow to bring the fire to established guards. These operations will be supported by wildland fire crews and structure protection personnel. 
  • Crews are actively working to establish containment lines north and west of Kelly Lake, adjacent to the community. 
  • In Kelly Lake, a unit crew and structure protection personnel worked today to extinguish fire within the community. Active structure defense will continue overnight.  
  • Structure protection and supressing spot fires continues in the County of Grande Prairie. 

Alberta Wildfire, the B.C. Wildfire Service, and the County of Grande Prairie are operating under unified command to coordinate efforts in managing and containing this large wildfire which remains classified as out of control. The unified command is also working closely with the Peace River Regional District to ensure a coordinated regional response. 

Alberta Evacuee Resources: 

  • GPREP Call Centre: Call 780-830-5002, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 
  • Register livestock with the County’s Livestock Emergency Response Plan (LERP): Contact the GPREP Call Centre at 780-830-5002 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Where to find fire updates:  

Donations: 

The next update will be provided as new information is available. 

About GPREP 

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) brings together the City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, and the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley to coordinate resources, training, and response strategies for large-scale emergencies. GPREP enhances public safety, strengthens community resilience, and delivers timely crisis information. Learn more at www.GPREP.ca and follow us on www.Facebook.com/GPREPalerts, and Twitter [X] www.x.com/gprepalerts. 

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Media contact:  

Information Officer,  

GPREP,  

587-771-0825, 

IOF@gprep.ca