Alberta gov’t ‘geared up and ready’ for wildfire season

“Protecting our communities, forests, and critical infrastructure from the threats of wildfire is a top priority for Alberta’s government,” says Todd Loewen, minister of forestry and parks.

“We’re taking action so Albertans, our municipal partners, and our communities can feel safer and more prepared during the 2026 wildfire season. Through partnerships, education, risk reduction, and the use of new technology, we’re using all available tools to create a more wildfire-resilient Alberta.”

Municipalities facing wildfires will receive $125,000 to support response, and the province wants those communities to ask for help sooner than later. That is called the Mutual Aid Incentive Pilot.

Ultimately, Loewen says he wants to build a wildfire-resilient Alberta.

Meanwhile, Air Spray Canada, which is based out of Springbrook just south of Red Deer, is praising the government’s preparedness.

“Alberta’s government has been meticulous in their work in wildfire response. They understood early on what the CL-215-T could do, and they built their aerial suppression program around it,” says Paul Lane, vice-president and COO at Air Spray.

“When a fire breaks out here, those aircraft are in the air fast, scooping from the nearest lake and dropping before the fire has a chance to establish itself. That is the advantage. It is not just the aircraft, it is the fact that Alberta has them, they are maintained, the crews know them, and they are ready. That kind of readiness is what keeps a small fire from becoming a disaster.”

More information on wildfires in Alberta is at albertafirebans.ca.

(with files from The Canadian Press)

by Josh Hall

Alberta gov’t ‘geared up and ready’ for wildfire season

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