By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files and photos from Government of Alberta

Winter is Not Over for another Month But, Alberta Wildfire Season Begins in Two Weeks

Feb 16, 2016 | 2:50 PM

EDMONTON:   Alberta’s Wildfire season usually doesn’t kick off until April 1st.  However, as is the case with the last few years, the 2016 Wildfire season will begin a month early.

Lack of snow cover, particularly in the south region, would be the first give-away.

According to Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Oneil Carlier, says the other reason for the early start would be to “more effectively monitor burning activities and also ensure that firefighters are well prepared to respond quickly when wildfires are detected.”

As well, an early preparation start to wildfire season was one of the recommendations from the “Flat Top Wildfire Complex Review” after the Slave Lake wildfires in 2011.

The need to get a jump on the season can be underscored by the fact that there were 1,786 wildfires in the province in 2015, which destroyed more than 492,000 hectares of land, over more than twice the 25-year average.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

As of March 1st, a permit is required for all planned fires in Alberta’s Forest Protection Area (as seen in government map above right), with the exception of campfires. There is no cost for a fire permit, which can be requested at any Agriculture and Forestry office.

Training for wildfire crew members and leaders at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s training centre in Hinton, beginning in March. More information can be found at the government link     

About one-third of wildfires in the province are reported by Albertans. To report a wildfire, call 310-FIRE (3473).