Richard Froese
South Peace News
After a record-breaking year for wildfires in 2023 in Alberta, Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen was relieved the season was not as busy in 2024.
Preparation and swift response define the wildfire season that ended Oct. 31, says an Oct. 30 government news release.
“While the 2024 wildfire season was challenging, our co-ordinated efforts and the resilience of Albertans have been crucial in mitigating the impacting,” says Loewen, who serves as the MLA for Central Peace – Notley.
“We will continue to adapt and strengthen our wildfire management strategies to protect our communities and natural resources.”
While the number of fires in 2024 in the Forest Protection Area exceeded the total number of fires in 2023, wildfires burned less than a third of the area compared with 2023, emphasizing the effectiveness of Alberta’s priorities to prepare and invest.
Alberta Wildfire responded to more than 1,210 wildfires in 2024, with more than 705,000 hectares burned.
While most wildfires were caused by people, Alberta recorded 410 wildfires in July caused by lightning. It was the highest number in 20 years.
Last year, Alberta reported 1,080 wildfires that burned more than 2.2 million hectares.
Alberta Wildfire was served by almost 1,900 firefighters, contractors and support staff working on Alberta’s provincial response in 2024.
Alberta Wildfire was also assisted by other agencies with more than 1,300 firefighters and support staff arriving from around the world.
Areas in northern Alberta were hit the hardest. An area near Peace River and four neighbourhoods in Fort McMurray faced short-term evacuations due to wildfires.
Throughout the season, residents were also evacuated from Garden River, John D’Or Prairie and Fox Lake in the Little Red Cree Nation east of High Level and the Chipewyan Cree Nation north of Fort McMurray.
While supporting the Jasper response led by Parks Canada, Alberta Wildfire crews continued to tackle substantial wildfires throughout the province and utilized personnel, aircraft and equipment to combat wildfires and assist impacted communities.
Through effective investments, including an historic $155 million wildfire base budget, Alberta’s government ensured the province was prepared to respond throughout the 2024 wildfire season.
Anticipating another busy wildfire season, the government recruited 100 additional wildland firefighters and an additional 40 contract wildland firefighters, as well as securing more airtankers, heavy equipment and helicopters equipped with night vision technology.
As a result, front-line crews were able to respond quickly and fight fires around the clock, containing 85 per cent of wildfire within 24 hours of when they were detected.
The 2024 season began earlier than usual, with 64 fires that started in 2023 and continued to burn during a mild winter and dry conditions.
Responding to the elevated danger, the government started the wildfire season on Feb. 20, rather than the traditional March 1 date, and implemented a fire ban and fire permit system to prevent additional fires caused by humans.
Although the wildfire season officially ended Oct. 31, Alberta Wildfire remains vigilant to respond to any potential wildfires across the province.