Grande Prairie Fire Department urges safe disposal of smoking materials amid rise in fires

(Grande Prairie, Alta. - May 21, 2026) - The Grande Prairie Fire Department is urging residents to take extra caution when disposing of smoking materials following a significant increase in human-caused fires across the community in recent weeks. In nearly all incidents, improperly discarded smoking materials are suspected or confirmed to be the case.

Over the last 48 hours alone, firefighters responded to four separate fires.

While no injuries or fatalities have been reported, the impacts have been significant. Multiple residents have been displaced, and property losses have reached into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Current fire conditions in the Grande Prairie region remain very high to extreme, increasing the risk of fires spreading quickly and causing serious damage.

"The losses we've seen due to human-caused fires are preventable and the consequences are significant," said Grande Prairie Fire Chief, Mark VanWerkhoven. "In current conditions, a cigarette flicked out a vehicle window or off a balcony can have catastrophic impacts. Regretfully, we've seen these impacts firsthand in recent weeks. We are urgently asking residents to be mindful of the danger and help prevent any further loss in our community."

The Fire Department is reminding residents to never discard smoking materials in planters, flowerpots, landscaping, grass, garbage cans or off balconies and decks. Smoking materials should always be fully extinguished and disposed of in a deep, sturdy ashtray or non-combustible container filled with sand or water.

Residents are also reminded that there are no fire alarms outdoors, meaning fires caused by discarded smoking materials can grow quickly before being discovered.

Beyond the direct impacts to affected residents and property owners, fire losses can also indirectly affect the broader community by contributing to higher insurance costs in the region over time.

Residents can learn more about local fire restrictions and find fire safety information at cityofgp.com/firebans.