Cooler Temperatures and Rain Aid Wildfire Firefighters in Alberta

CBC News is reporting (5-23-23) that more than one million hectares (over 2.4 million acres) of land in Alberta are now estimated to have burned in a record-breaking spring for wildfires.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 74 wildfires were burning across Alberta. In Alberta’s forest protection zones, there were 71 wildfires—about 10 less than listed on Monday. Of these, 20 are still considered burning out of control.

According to the report, Alberta Wildfire Information unit manager Christie Tucker said at a news conference that cooler temperatures and continued rain showers have dampened wildfire behavior. “Many of the major wildfires burning received some rain, which means these are good days for firefighters to make real progress on containing these fires.”

But Tucker indicated that the province must be prepared for a longer engagement. “Even though we have made headway on many wildfires on the landscape, we know that the season is far from over.”

Tucker added that this is now the second-worst wildfire season—which runs until October—on record. The previous record was set in 1981, when 1.3 million hectares burned. In contrast, at this time last year, wildfires had only consumed 450 hectares.