Alberta prepares as wildfire season begins

March 1, 2025 Canuck

March 1 marks the start of wildfire season in Alberta, which comes days after firefighters brought a fire burning west of Ghost Lake, north of Highway 1A, under control.

The cause of the 16.67-hectare fire remains under investigation, and it did not grow substantially as crews fought it, the province said.

The provincial government, along with municipalities and firefighting crews across Alberta, have already been busy with preparation work for this year’s season.

In a statement Friday, Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen talked about the importance of being prepared and proactive in the face of unprecedented wildfire challenges.

His statement comes less than a year after wildfire ravaged Jasper, Alta., torching about a third of the town.

The minister noted the provincial government is working under a three-pronged approach to its wildfire preparations: prevention, mitigation and readiness to respond.

“The key to prevention efforts is stopping wildfires before they start,” Loewen said.

“It is essential that every Albertan understands their role in preventing wildfires, which is why we are increasing public awareness campaigns and promoting safe practices for outdoor activities, while also enforcing fire bans as necessary.”

The province has bolstered its wildfire mitigation plans this year, Loewen says. Utilizing controlled burns, creating firebreaks and managing forest vegetation to minimize fuel for fires are all tools at the government’s disposal.

Mitigation projects are underway in the Bow Valley near Canmore, Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Hinton, Whitecourt and Slave Lake, the province says.

According to Loewen, in 2024, the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta funded 38 FireSmart projects across the province worth more than $3.4 million.

“Alberta is home to some of the best firefighting personnel in the world, and our teams are well trained, well equipped and ready to respond to any wildfire incidents,” he said. “We continue investing in the technology and resources needed to support firefighting efforts.”

The province’s recently released budget includes $160 million in funding for wildfire personnel, equipment, training and contracts for aircraft, dozers and night vision-equipped helicopters, Loewen said.

As of Friday afternoon, there were 10 active fires in the province; however, none were classified as out of control. Loewen says nearly 60 wildfires were burning at this time last year.

Loewen attributed the difference to ongoing preparations.

“This is in large part thanks to the incredible work of Alberta’s wildland firefighters and support teams, the resilience of Alberta’s communities, and to the province’s historic investments, preparations and quick response to last year’s wildfires,” he said.

Anastasia Drummond, wildfire information officer for the Calgary forest protection area, says that with the official start of wildfire season in the province, some rules have changed.

“The immediate implication is that fire permits are now required. Over the winter months, they’re not required in the forest protection area. They are now,” she said.

She says people who lit outdoor fires during the winter are encouraged to return to those sites to ensure they are properly extinguished.

“These are the exact kind of conditions where we can see those sort of come back to life in the spring. If they’re not fully extinguished, they can smoulder underground in these warm, windy days,” Drummond said.

She says if anyone sees a fire burning in a forested area, call 310-FIRE to report it.

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