Alberta Gives First Wildfire Update of the Season: Activity Already Above Last Year

On Thursday, Alberta held its first weekly wildfire update, just a few days after a wildfire north of Obed Lake caused by a TC Energy natural gas pipeline rupture quickly burned 60 hectares (148 acres) before a coordinated provincial effort brought the blaze under control, Canadian Forest Industries reported (4-19-24).

Alberta Wildfire Information Unit manager Christie Tucker said there are currently 50 wildfires burning in the forest protection area of Alberta, four of which are classified as being held while the remaining 46 are now under control. “We started this year with 64 wildfires still burning from last year. While we’ve been working diligently to extinguish them, it does mean that firefighters are entering the spring with a heavier fire load than usual.”

More than 500 hectares (1,236 acres) have already burned in the province, approximately 400 hectares more than this time last year, Tucker added. “The long-term drought conditions we’ve experienced in Alberta mean that it is still possible for trees and grasses to burn particularly in the high winds that we’ve been seeing.”

Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen said Alberta had more wildfire starts this year than in 2023, with 148 fires already fully extinguished since the beginning of 2024. Lowen noted that the province has been working with communities, municipalities, local fire departments, and industry partners about their needs for wildfire season.

The government has tried to match the imperative that an early wildfire season has brought by boosting its efforts to fight more wildfires with more firefighters. At present, there are 297 government wildland firefighters, 280 fire attack firefighters, and 172 seasonal support staff in place in addition to Alberta Wildfire’s regular permanent full-time staff. “Early season hiring, and increased preparedness has enabled us to come at this wildfire season very strong,” Loewen said.