The County of Grande Prairie has issued an evacuation alert for areas near Preston Lake.
The Peavine Creek Wildfire has crossed the British Columbia border into the county and is burning 5.5 km west of Preston Lake.
"Residents located north of TWP RD 732, west of RGE RD 131, and south of TWP RD 742 to be on alert and prepare for the possibility of evacuation," said the county.
The County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service is providing structural protection units in select areas.
The county reminds residents preparing for potential evacuation to, arrange accommodations, pack important documents, medications, food, water, for one week, have a plan for your pets, and ensure your vehicle has a full tank of fuel.
An additional update is expected later today.
Previously, it was reported that no private structures are located in the immediate region, but oil and gas facilities may be impacted.
Residents are told to stay tuned to the Alberta Emergency Alerts at https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-emergency-alert.aspx and download the Alberta Emergency Alert app to mobile devices.
An update is expected to come later this morning.
Update June 8, 11 a.m.
The current size of the Peavine Creek Wildfire is estimated to be 1,250 hectares and is currently classified as out of control.
“County and Horse Lake First Nation firefighters are working to protect structures in the area,” said the county.
The county is also monitoring Boone Lake Complex Wildfire, but the fire has not crossed into the county. Currently, the Boone Lake Complex wildfire is in Saddle Hills County.
The next update is expected Friday morning.
Update June 9, 2 p.m.
The county continues to monitor the Peavine Creek wildfire in the west county and the Boone Lake Complex wildfire in Saddle Hills County.
Weather conditions for today and Saturday “could lead to extreme fire behaviour over the weekend,” said the County of Grande Priaire in a media release.
The fire ban in the county and city remains in place.
The county is urging the public to avoid active wildfire areas and give fire crews the room they need to work.
County Regional Enforcement Services removed members of the public yesterday that were impacting firefighting efforts.
An evacuation alert is still in effect for residents north of Township Road 732, west of Range Road 131, and south of Township Road 742. The county says those in the alert zone should be prepared to evacuate within an hour's notice.
Peavine Creek Wildfire Status:
Fire crews indicated that there was no additional fire growth in the county from the Peavine Creek wildfire.
On Thursday, crews created a 20-metre-wide fire guard southwest of Preston Lake to create an extra layer of protection for properties in the area, said the county.
The Regional Fire Service also assisted residents in the evacuation alert zone on how to FireSmart their properties.
BC Forestry says the Peavine Creek wildfire is currently 1,250 hectares and is classified as out of control.
Boone Lake Complex Wildfire Status:
County Regional Fire Services are currently staged in La Glace as it monitors the Boone Lake Complex wildfire.
The Boone Lake Complex wildfire is approximately 20 km north of Valhalla Centre and five km north of the county’s border.
County fire crews are working with livestock owners in the area on Emergency Response Plans.
UPDATE June 12, 3 p.m.
Fire crews were challenged with increased wind over the weekend, said the County of Grande Prairie in a media release.
The county says containment lines on the B.C. and Alberta border are held at the Peavine Creek Wildfire. Ongoing work on the fire break along the border is expected to continue today.
The evacuation alert is still active for residents near Preston Lake.
“Residents north of Township Road 732, west of Range Road 131, and south of Township Road 742 should be prepared to evacuate with one hour’s notice,” says the county.
Additionally, fire bans are still in place in the city and county of Grande Prairie.
The Boone Lake Complex wildfire is 70 per cent contained, said the county.