Between the start of this year’s wildfire season on April 1 and its end on October 31, Alberta responded to 1,631 wildfires that burned 65,838 hectares. Over the previous five years Alberta recorded an average of 1,560 wildfires per year, covering 108,039 hectares.

Intense lightning storms in mid-June marked the peak of Alberta’s fire season. From June 12-19 more than 110,000 lightning strikes were recorded in the province, which sparked more than 230 new wildfires. Those wildfires forced the closure of Highway 63 to Fort McMurray and threatened several industrial facilities and communities, including Peerless Lake, Loon Lake and Red Earth. Alberta imported additional firefighters and aircraft from Ontario, New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, Yukon and the State of Jalisco, Mexico to quickly control the wildfires.

Warm, dry weather also provided ideal conditions for Alberta to successfully complete several prescribed fires. The largest was the Upper Saskatchewan prescribed fire located west of Nordegg, where more than 5,000 hectares were burned. Significant progress was also made on the Mount Nestor prescribed fire south of Canmore. Both fires were crucial for ecosystem restoration, community protection and removing prime pockets of mountain pine beetle habitat.

August brought wet conditions through much of the province that allowed Alberta to send firefighters to B.C. to help battle major wildfires burning in that province. In total, Alberta sent more than 400 firefighting personnel and several aircraft to the neighbouring province. Alberta also provided firefighting assistance to Yukon.

Heading into the winter months, moisture levels in Alberta’s forests are at the lowest levels recorded in more than a decade. Should the province’s forested areas receive below-average snowfall or less-than-usual amounts of spring rain, the fire hazard in spring will quickly climb to extreme levels.

Because of the dry conditions, Albertans are asked to take a few simple precautions to prevent an out-of-control wildfire. Dead grass and woody debris, combined with windy conditions, can readily support a fast-moving wildfire. Albertans are asked to keep their winter burns small and always have firefighting equipment on hand.

Fires that are not completely extinguished can smoulder underground during the winter months and re-surface in the spring as a wildfire. To properly extinguish a campfire, soak it with water, stir the ashes and soak it again. 

To report a wildfire, call 310-FIRE (3473).