As the province prepares for future wildfire seasons, mitigating the risks of catastrophic wildfires is a primary focus for Alberta’s government. With increased wildfire activity in recent years, it is crucial that communities at risk are prepared. The Community Fireguard Program is critical to these efforts. By removing trees surrounding vulnerable communities that can act as fuel in the event of fires, the program helps ensure that residents, homes, businesses and critical infrastructure are better protected from the devastating effects of wildfires.
Construction of the Bow Valley Community Fireguard near Canmore.
Construction on the new Bow Valley Community Fireguard started in late fall 2024, after the project received $750,000 in provincial funding administered by the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta. Project partners include the Town of Canmore, Municipal District of Bighorn and the Kananaskis Improvement District, with support from Alberta’s government.
“Alberta faced significant wildfire seasons over the last two years. The reality is that decades of fire suppression left our forests aging and vulnerable. By working together with our at-risk communities, we are taking steps to increase wildfire resilience across Alberta.”
Ongoing work on the fireguard, which includes a combination of mechanical tree removal and forest thinning, will significantly reduce the potential for a wildfire for years to come. Additional work is required to complete the entire fireguard over the next three to five years and planning is underway for the next funding approval and stage of construction.
“Wildfire is the hazard that poses the greatest risk to Canmore. With hotter, longer and more intense fire seasons, work on building the Bow Valley Community Fireguard is critical to ensuring that we have the means and the plans to combat this significant threat to people, property and critical infrastructure.”
“The Bow Valley Community Fireguard is a massive undertaking made possible through the province’s commitment to strengthening the wildfire resiliency of our communities. We are thankful for their continued support and leadership in advancing wildfire prevention initiatives across Alberta. We are also grateful for the countless hours of effort behind the scenes from the teams of the MD of Bighorn, the Town of Canmore, and the Kananaskis Improvement District that have brought this project to life to ensure the Bow Valley has a safer future for generations to come.”
Alberta’s government is taking significant steps to enhance wildfire preparedness across the province in preparation for the 2025 wildfire season, with several other fireguard initiatives currently underway. In Whitecourt, fireguard construction is ongoing, while in Hinton, fireguard planning is in progress. Swan Hills is focused on debris clean-up from 2023 fireguard construction to ensure continued wildfire protection for the area.
Additionally, work is underway to hire more wildland firefighters, who will receive specialized training at the Hinton Training Centre, which also provides free online training to municipalities and local fire departments. To support local communities, the province maintains mutual aid and resource-sharing agreements to ensure access to specialized firefighting equipment when needed.
The FireSmart program continues to help make properties more resistant to wildfires, and its principles are being implemented across the province. Alberta’s government is also continuing to implement prescribed burns and selective harvesting to reduce the risks of wildfires by removing aging trees.
Aggressive measures to reduce the mountain pine beetle population have also been effective, with work ongoing to cut and burn infested trees as needed.
Quick facts
- The Community Fireguard Program was launched in 2023 to enhance wildfire preparedness for communities at risk of wildfires.
- Alberta’s government invested $5 million to support emergency fireguard construction in 2023, in response to extreme wildfire activities.
- Emergency fireguards were constructed in Buck Creek, Grande Prairie, Dimsdale, Lac Ste. Anne, Valleyview, Gift Lake and Fox Creek.
- The program received an additional $14 million in 2024.