Wildfires in Saddle Hills County

Updated: August 12, 2024 - 10:50 a.m.

Since August 3, 2024, a number of wildfires have been reported in Saddle Hills County. Wildfire GWF075 and GWF077 are the most notable active fires and an Evacuation Alert remains in place for the Gordondale area, as detailed below.

Evacuation Alert

Saddle Hills County has issued an Evacuation Alert due to Wildfire GWF077, burning south of Highway 49, in the Gordondale area. This fire is still considered Out of Control at 159 ha, although there is no immediate threat to any structures in the area.

Residents and visitors south of Township Road 790, between Range Road 102 and Range Road 111, should be prepared to evacuate on short notice, if required. Please gather all important documentation, medications and medical equipment, and any necessary items for yourself, family members, and pets for up to 72 hours. 

This Evacuation Alert will remain in place until this fire is considered sufficiently controlled.

Fire GWF075

Fire GWF075 was discovered at 3:21 p.m. on August 3, 2024, and is located 5.2 km east of Range Road 130 and 12 km west of Spring Lake. The fire is still considered as Out of Control, now at 49 ha.

Air tanker groups continue to drop water, foam, and retardant on this wildfire, and heavy helicopters and air tankers will work again today, skimming from Jack Fish Lake. Crews continue to work along the perimeter to reinforce the new, widened guard.

Fire GWF077

Fire GWF077 was discovered at 3:39 p.m. on August 3, 2024, and is located 7 km south of Highway 49, in the Gordondale area. The fire is still considered as Out of Control at 159 ha. Little to no precipitation has been observed on this wildfire.

A night vision helicopter focused efforts on a spot fire to the south of the main burn. No other spots were detected outside the perimeter. Firefighting crews continue to seek out and extinguish hotspots along the perimeter.

Falling trees and large ash pits within the perimeter mean that dangerous firefighting conditions continue.

The State of Local Emergency issued on August 3, 2024, has now expired, but the Evacuation Alert remains in place for this area.

Fire GWF083

A new fire was discovered on the evening of August 7, 2024, located approximately 12 km southwest of Wildfire GWF074. It is currently classified as Under Control at 0.1 ha. 

There was also eight new fires discovered in the Forest Protection Area in Saddle Hills County, over the weekend. Many were due to lightening strikes, although not all causes have been determined at this time.

Fire GWF084

Located at the junction of Range Roadd 111 and Township Roadd 800, this fire was discovered on August 9, 2024, and is currently considered Under Control, at 0.01 ha.

Fire GWF088

Located 15 km east of Gundy, this fire was discovered on August 11, 2024, and is currently Being Held at 0.1 ha.

Fire GWF089

Located 10 km west of Deadwood Lake, this fire was discovered on August 11, 2024, and is currently Being Held, at 0.01 ha.

Fire GWF090

Located 8 km east of Spring Lake, 50 m from the County of Grande Prairie boundary, this fire was discovered on August 11, 2024, and is currently considered Being Held, at 1.5 ha. Heavy equipment has 100% contained this wildfire with dozer guards, and suppression efforts have been successful. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire and scan for heat.

Fire GWF091

Located on the southeast side of Jackfish Lake, 6.5 km north of Spring Lake, this fire was discovered on August 11, 2024, and is currently Being Held, at 0.2 ha. This wildfire is suspected to be caused by a lightening strike. Crews are currently working with hand tools, pump, and hose to extinguish this fire.

Fire GWF092

Located 3 km northwest of Deadwood Lake, 16 km south of Highway 49, this fire was discovered on August 11, 2024, and is currently Being Held, at 0.01 ha. Firefighters with a helicopter and bucket are responding this wildfire and no control issues are anticipated at this time. 

Fire GWF093

Located near Range Road 114 and Township Road 804, this fire was discovered on August 11, 2024, and has since been Extinguished at 0.01 ha. The fire appears to be the result of a hold-over fire. 

Fire GWF094

Located 3 km northeast of Spring Lake, this fire was discovered on August 11, 2024, and is currently Being Held, at 0.01 ha.

Crews are working in extreme heat conditions but are holding and reinforcing guards and extinguishing hotspots along perimeters with the use of water trucks, pump and hose, and hand tools. Dangerous firefighting conditions continue and a night vision helicopter monitors the perimeters for hotspots and searches out targets for each upcoming operational period.

None of the above listed fires pose an immediate threat to any structures in the surrounding area.

Further updates will be provided, as firefighting efforts continue.