Alberta fire chiefs urgently call on province for wildfire strategy

With the dry conditions across Alberta right now, the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association is extremely concerned that this wildfire season will mirror last year’s devastating one.

Fire chiefs in Alberta are desperately seeking the province’s strategy for the upcoming wildfire season.

With the dry conditions across Alberta right now, the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association is extremely concerned that this wildfire season will mirror last year’s. During the 2023 season, 1,092 wildfires burned a record 2.2-million hectares.

In an open letter to members of the Alberta government Wednesday, the AFCA urgently called for disclosure of its wildfire preparedness strategy.

“Combatting last year’s wildfire season in Alberta brought forth considerable challenges, highlighting the critical need for a comprehensive and proactive approach to wildfire management,” the AFCA said in the public letter.

“These wildfires are occurring with greater frequency, intensity and duration across more expansive areas than in the past.”

The AFCA said it has met with government ministries, asking for additional resources, increased training capacity, equipment, aerials and for the establishment of a provincial fire services advisory committee to help develop a dedicated provincial strategy to better manage and mitigate risks associated with wildfire seasons.

The AFCA said it made clear to the government that relying on municipalities to financially backstop wildland fire response “is not sustainable.”

“With or without federal funding, the AFCA is inquiring about the allocation of additional resources towards wildfire management,” the letter reads.