Evacuee Information Newsletter – Kiskatinaw River Wildfire

Kiskatinaw River Wildfire 

Evacuee Daily Information Bulletin – For residents of the Kiskatinaw River Wildfire Evacuation
Date: June 13, 2025 

Latest updates on the emergency

Evacuation Order Lifted, Evacuation Alert Zone Reduced 

The County of Grande Prairie has lifted the evacuation order. Everyone north of Township Road 710 to 740, east of the British Columbia/ Alberta border to Range Road 132 can now return home. This area will remain on evacuation alert.  

The GPREP Re-Entry Guide: Kiskatinaw-River-Wildfire-Resident-Re-Entry-Document-2025-06-13.pdf 

Residents in areas under an evacuation alert should remain prepared to leave on short notice. Whenever an evacuation order is issued, residents have just 30 minutes to leave.  

Latest updates on the emergency 

• Current status: Grande Prairie — Friday, 5:00 p.m. – Everyone north of Township Road 710 to 740, east of the British Columbia/ Alberta border to Range Road 132 can now return home. This area will remain on evacuation alert.   

 Weather and Fire Behaviour  

• The fire did not experience any overnight growth. Today’s rainfall has further supported containment strategies. Despite the rainfall, we are still in drought conditions and residents are reminded that there is still a province wide fire ban in effect in the forest protection areas. 

• Drying conditions are forecast to return late Sunday and into Monday, which could result in more active fire behaviour early next week. 

Important Safety Reminders for Returning Home After a Wildfire 

 Be alert to hazards on your property: 

• Watch for ash pits (holes in the ground with hot embers) near trees and organic soil. Stay clear and report concerns to 780-830-5002. If it is an emergency, call 911. 

• You may see visible smoke, which is expected. However, if you see open flames, please call 911 immediately to report it. 

• Burned trees and branches can fall without warning. 

• Burning roots may destabilize trees and cause them to fall. 

• Do not enter or allow anyone to play in areas damaged by fire. 

Additional cautions: 

• Wildlife may be sheltering in or around your home, garage, or outbuildings. Leave doors open to allow animals to leave naturally. Call 780-538-5265 for injured animals or those unwilling to leave. 

• If you see stray livestock, contact the County of Grande Prairie Agricultural Services Department at 780-532-9727. 

• If you notice fire retardant residue (red stains), clean with water or biodegradable cleaner—never use bleach. 

ATCO Update for Customers impacted by GBZ001 (Kiskatinaw River Wildfire)  

• As a safety precaution, ATCO temporarily shut off natural gas service to the area within and outside the evacuation zone.  

• ATCO crews are in the area assisting with restoring service in the area. If you aren’t home, we will provide a card to contact us when you are home if you require assistance with relighting your appliances.  

• If you are home and ready, please call us at 310-5678.  

• In the unlikely event you arrive home and smell natural gas, leave the building immediately and call ATCO’s Natural Gas Emergency Line at 1-800-511-3447 or call 911.  

 Services and Support Available 

 The GPREP Reception Centre, located at the Hythe Community Library (10013 100 Street), is open until 6:00 p.m. today and will demobilize tomorrow.  

 The GPREP Kiskatinaw River Wildfire Call Centre is open until 7:00 p.m. today. It will reopen tomorrow, Saturday, June 14, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The GPREP Call Centre will be demobilized at the end of the day on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. For inquiries after Saturday, please contact the County Office during regular office hours Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 780-532-9722. 

 Residents who were evacuated on Day One (June 5) are eligible to apply for Emergency Evacuation Payments. 

You can apply online at alberta.ca/alberta-supports. 

Public computers are available at the Hythe Library during library hours:
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Note: The Hythe Library and the GPREP Reception Centre have separate hours of operation. 

In-person assistance is available at: 

• Alberta Supports office in Grande Prairie (100 Towne Centre Mall, 9845 99 Avenue)
  Open Monday to Friday 8:15 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. (Closed noon to 1:00 p.m.)  

• Call Alberta Supports: Call between 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (open Monday to Friday) 

• Toll free: 1-877-644-9992 (in Alberta) 

Once you apply, payments begin the following day. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this difficult time. You may have left your home on short notice and feel the need to return. We would like to remind evacuees that it is critical to your safety to avoid the area entirely once evacuated. 

Important resources 

• Mental Health Support: Call or text 9-8-8 (available 24/7). 

• Health Link: Dial 811 for nurse advice (24/7). 

• GPREP Website: Visit www.gprep.ca for up-to-date information. 

• GPREP Re-Entry Guide: Returning to Your Home — GPREP – Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership 

How to stay updated 

FAQs for evacuees are provided on the GPREP website. They are updated as new information becomes available. Bookmark GPREP’s website at http://www.GPREP.ca/ and follow us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/GPREPalerts/, and https://x.com/GPREPAlerts  

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 http://wwwGPREP.ca and follow us on https://www.facebook.com/GPREPalerts/ , and https://x.com/GPREPAlerts