Alberta declares state of emergency due to 'unprecedented' start to wildfire season

Alberta's provincial government declared a state of emergency on Saturday as tens of thousands of hectares continued to burn.

Alberta's provincial government declared a state of emergency on Saturday as tens of thousands of hectares continued to burn.

"After reviewing the province's current situation and our response options, we declared a provincial state of emergency to protect the safety, health and welfare of Albertans," Premier Danielle Smith said about meeting that afternoon with the province's Emergency Management Cabinet Committee.

The declaration empowers the government in extreme situations, such as by giving it access to emergency funds.

"This is not a step that we took lightly, but it is one that will allow the quickest and most effective response," Smith said.

Additionally, the emergency coordination centre was escalated from a Level 3 to 4 for a more comprehensive response, the premier added.

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