Firefighters respond to a wildfire in the Peace River area on April 23, 2024. (Photo: Peace Regional RCMP)

By David Opinko

Province adding funds for new firefighting equipment

Apr 29, 2024 | 9:35 AM

The Government of Alberta is taking steps to better prepare for and respond to wildfires.

The province will purchase two additional air tanker groups and two new night vision-equipped helicopters.

These types of fire fighting helicopters were piloted during the 2023 fire season, and officials say it allowed for improved suppression efforts around the clock.

The government also announced that it will be increasing funding under the Community Fireguard Program by $14 million to $19 million.

The program is administered by the Forest Resources Improvement Association of Alberta, which works to clear the area near or surrounding a community, breaking the path of a wildfire by cutting it off from fuel sources that would allow it to spread.

$4.2 million deficit

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools facing dire financial woes

11h ago

Beginning May 27, 2024

Vista Trail residential roadway closure in Blackfalds

14h ago

securing medals amid personal growth

RDCRS students make their marks at Skills Provincials Alberta

16h ago

The Association has shown “high interest” in the program, signalling that more communities are looking to proactively prepare for the impacts of wildfires.

Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen says, “I am encouraged by the increased interest in both the FireSmart and Fireguard Programs this year. Albertans and their communities are wanting to better prepare themselves against the dangers of wildfire.”

The province is encouraging all Albertans to download the apps for Alberta Wildfire and Alberta Fire Bans, and to check the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

• Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard
• Download the Alberta Wildfire Status App
• Download the Alberta Fire Bans App
• Download the Alberta Emergency Alert App

“Today, the minister said that recruiting for seasonal workers to fight wildfires finished ‘a month or two ago.’ But on April 18, he said that 30 to 35 were being hired each week. Both can’t be true,” says James Gault, vice-president of AUPE, which represents workers in the Ministry of Forestry and Parks, including seasonal wildland firefighters.

“The minister spoke about air tankers and night-vision helicopters,” says Gault. “But fighting wildfires is not just about equipment and boots on the ground. It’s about the experience of the firefighters wearing those boots.

“Alberta’s problem is that we have failed to retain firefighters from previous years – firefighters it has paid to train – and are now forced to put out crews who lack the depth of experience that is needed. This failure is putting firefighters and Albertans at risk.”

—

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the rdnewsNOW newsletter by visiting rdnewsNOW.com. You can also download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.