Alberta Wildfire Season Off to a Quick and Unwelcome Start
Alberta wildfire season is off to a blazing start, 57 fires burning
Alberta’s wildfire season typically runs from March 1st to October 31st, but on February 20th, Alberta’s forestry minister declared an early start to the wildfire season, The Weather Network reports (4-1-24).
The declaration allows the province to expand their wildland firefighter numbers and proactively prepare for what’s to come. The pessimism is due to widespread drought, low snow-pack levels, and warm temperatures.
Alberta currently has 57 wildfires burning, 50 of which have been burning underground since 2023. All but one of these 57 fires are either being held or are under control. One fire north of Slave Lake is listed as “out of control” and has burned an estimated 54 hectares so far.
Alberta Wildfire has the Slave Lake Forest Area listed at a high wildfire danger level due to warm temperatures and gusty winds. The area is also under a fire advisory, which halts any new fire permits for the area from being issued.
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