By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

keeping communities safe

Wildfire season kicks off with reminder to be mindful

Mar 2, 2022 | 12:53 PM

March 1 marked the start of wildfire season in Alberta.

The season runs through Oct. 31.

“Our priority is keeping Albertans and our communities safe. We continue to explore new technology and innovative wildland firefighting programs to evaluate what we need in Alberta’s wildfire management tool kit,” says Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development. “We’re ready for whatever this summer throws at us.”

More than 60 per cent of wildfires last year in 2021 were human-caused, according to the province.

In total, there were 1,308 wildfires burning nearly 53,000 hectares of the Forest Protection Area.

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For Red Deer, wildfire season means protecting our parks.

“As a community with many green spaces and forested areas, particularly with many close to residential areas, we closely monitor signs of increased risk of wildfires in Red Deer from spring to fall,” says Shane Dussault, Assistant Fire Marshal, Red Deer Emergency Services.

“Red Deerians should know what conditions increase the risk of wildfires, including high winds, low humidity, drought and high temperatures. Simple measures can be taken to help prevent fires, such as being careful and having a water source available for any outdoor fires, and not tossing cigarette butts into plants or brush.”

Information on fire bans, along with OHV and fire restrictions, can be found at albertafirebans.ca, with City restrictions to be posted at RedDeer.ca.

Anyone who spots a wildfire should call 310-FIRE. If you see a fire threatening homes or a community, call 9-1-1.