alberta wildfire travel restrictions

Alberta enacts fire restriction as wildfire conditions grow extreme

Drought conditions fuelling risk of new fires, officials say

A sweeping fire restriction has been put in place across Alberta as hot, dry weather leaves forests tinder-dry.

Emergency officials are urging extreme caution in the weeks ahead as a persistent and severe drought pushes Alberta's wildfire danger to the extreme.

SEE ALSO: Rural Albertans, officials discuss evacuation plans as wildfire season kicks off

On Wednesday, following a wildfire information update, the province introduced a fire restriction in the province's forest protection areas in effort to manage the risk.

With the exception of Calgary's forest protection zone, all outdoor fires are now prohibited on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas.

Wildfires have already prompted a handful of communities to temporarily evacuate and put hundreds more Albertans on notice to leave their homes at a moment's notice.

(Alberta Wildfire via CBC)

The wildfire season started early and threatens to escalate quickly, said Josee St-Onge, a spokesperson for Alberta Wildfire.

"Conditions remain very dry," St-Onge said at a news conference Wednesday. "We need significant and continued rain to overcome the drought conditions that we are experiencing across many parts of the province."

Following a winter season with low precipitation, the snowpack has disappeared quickly this spring. Without extended rains, the risk will remain high.

CANADA'S WILDFIRES: Visit The Weather Network's wildfire hub to keep up with the latest on the active start to wildfire season across Canada.

"This is a critical time for wildfire in Alberta. Snow has melted and exposed dead and dry vegetation which is extremely flammable," St-Onge said.

"Wildfires will easily ignite and can spread very quickly."

Wildfires in Alberta have consumed more than 755 hectares of forest to date this season, compared to 440 hectares to this time last year.

More than 200 fires have been reported this year, compared to 135 at this time last year. An average for this time of year is 120 wildfires, with around 230 hectares burned, St-Onge said.

As of Wednesday morning, 70 wildfires were burning across Alberta, including 63 that have ignited in forest protection zones.

The risk of new wildfires igniting is the most extreme in the northern parts of the province, with the risk rated as very high in regions including Fort McMurray, Lac La Biche, and Slave Lake.

Connor'O Donovan/The Weather Network)

As of Wednesday morning, residents near Cold Lake First Nations remained on evacuation alert, while evacuation orders remained in effect for the Municipal District of Peace No. 135.

A fire near the municipal district has continued to grow rapidly.The fire had grown to about 1,500 hectares Wednesday, expanding from the 250 hectares it had consumed the day before.

The fire continues to burn out of control and ground crews are attempting to douse the flames with help from air tankers and helicopters.

A wildfire burning southeast of Fort McMurray has also posed a threat to homes in the neighbourhood of Saprae Creek Estates. Firefighters continue to work to strengthen the fire guard along the western flank of the fire, which is burning 4.5 kilometres from the hamlet. It is now classified as being held.

Todd Loewen, Alberta's minister of Forestry and Parks, said Wednesday that Alberta continues to experience a higher than normal wildfire risk.

The province is working with municipal crews and adding more firefighters to its ranks to ensure the frontline is well-prepared for the season ahead.

"While this elevated number of new wildfire starts in 2024 points to concerning levels of wildfire danger, it also means our response tactics are working," he said.

WATCH: This is what it takes to become wildland firefighter in Alberta

Thumbnail courtesy of Alberta Wildfire via CBC.

The story was originally written by Wallis Snowdon and published for CBC News .

Canadian wildfire guidance for travelers

Plan your trip

Canada is home to breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty, but during certain times of the year, our country experiences wildfires. These wildfires can impact travel plans so we’re here to offer guidance and provide essential information and safety tips for when you’re visiting or planning to visit areas affected by wildfires in Canada.

Current wildfire conditions

Each of Canada's provinces and territories has its own unique landscapes, and being aware of the wildfire situation in your desired destination helps prepare you for your trip - know before you go. By following the links or visiting the websites provided by each province and territory, you can stay informed about the current wildfire conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey through Canada's diverse and vast landscapes.

To see the current conditions, view the Natural Resources Canada Fire Weather interactive map External Link Title .

Government of Canada

• Provincial and territorial wildfire information External Link Title
• Wildfires in Alberta External Link Title
• Alberta Government Wildfires External Link Title

British Columbia

• Destination BC Know Before You Go External Link Title
• BC Government Wildfire Service External Link Title
• Manitoba Government Wildfire Information External Link Title

New Brunswick

• New Brunswick Government Forest Fire Watch External Link Title

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Newfoundland and Labrador Government Forest Fires External Link Title

Northwest Territories

• NWT Government Wildfires External Link Title

Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotia Wildfires External Link Title
• Nova Scotia Government Fire Alerts External Link Title
• Nunavut Government Information External Link Title
• Ontario Government Forest Fires External Link Title

Prince Edward Island

• PEI Government Fire Information External Link Title
• Bonjour Qu?bec External Link Title
• Qu?bec Government Forest Fires External Link Title

Saskatchewan

• Wildfire Status External Link Title
• Wildfire Map External Link Title (PDF)
• Yukon Wildfires External Link Title

Fire safety tips

Stay informed:.

• Monitor local news outlets and weather reports for updates on wildfire conditions in the region you plan to visit.   

Plan ahead:

• Prior to your trip, research and identify regions that have a low risk of wildfires during your travel dates.
• Be flexible with your itinerary and have backup plans in case you need to change routes or destinations due to wildfires.
• Consult with your travel agent, tourist information centres, or park authorities for guidance on safe travel routes and recommended areas to visit.   

Fire bans and restrictions:

• Observe and adhere to any fire bans, restrictions, or area closures issued by local authorities. These measures are in place to ensure public safety and prevent the spread of wildfires.
• Avoid lighting fires or using camp stoves in restricted areas, and only use designated fire pits or grills where permitted.   

Respect the environment:

• Be mindful of your actions and follow responsible travel practices to minimize your impact on the environment.
• Do not discard cigarette butts or any other flammable materials in natural areas, as they can easily start wildfires.
• Follow all posted signs and instructions in national parks, provincial parks, or protected areas regarding camping, hiking, or other recreational activities.   

Remember, safety should be your top priority when traveling in areas affected by wildfires. By staying informed, planning ahead with a flexible itinerary, and following safety guidelines, you can enjoy your Canadian adventure while minimizing risks associated with wildfires.

Weather helping damp down Alberta wildfires but careless behaviour still a worry

33 new starts detected over victoria day weekend.

Social Sharing

A week of cool, wet temperatures has made a significant difference to Alberta's wildfire situation but provincial officials are concerned that pleas to be cautious have fallen on some deaf ears.

Investigators out and about in the Calgary forest protection area over the long weekend discovered 25 abandoned campfires, Todd Loewen, Alberta's forestry and parks minister, said Thursday during a wildfire activity briefing.

"These were quickly extinguished by patrol staff but these easily could have led to new catastrophic wildfire starts," Loewen said. 

Elsewhere in the province, 33 new starts were detected between Friday and Monday, most of which were "caused by people recreating outdoors," added Christie Tucker, an Alberta Wildfire information unit manager.

• Residents excited to come home as evacuation order, alerts lifted in northeastern Alberta

As of Thursday morning, there were 30 active wildfires in the Alberta forest protection area, 20 of which had been started in the previous calendar year.

Alberta Wildfire is also assisting on seven fires that are outside the province's forest protection areas.

None of the active fires are out of control, including the blaze southwest of Fort McMurray that had forced the evacuation of about 6,600 residents from four neighbourhoods. The fire is now being held. The evacuation order, issued on May 14, was lifted on Saturday.

Tucker said about 45 millimetres of rain fell outside of Fort McMurray over the weekend.

Fort McMurray firefighters remain on alert, even as firebreak fills with mud

"It was a wet and cool long weekend for most Albertans and those conditions certainly did help the work of firefighters, especially working up north," she said.

Crews are still working to reinforce containment lines and reduce hot spots on that blaze, she said.

All fire bans and restrictions that were put into place last week have now been lifted.

Related Stories

• What you can do to prepare for wildfire evacuations now
• What you need to know to stay up-to-date on Alberta wildfires
• Wildfire that forced evacuation of Cranberry Portage could take weeks to put out: wildfire director
• Evacuation order issued as wildfire threatening Fort McMurray draws closer
• With wildfires nearby, these Newfoundlanders living in Fort McMurray are prepared

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Alberta warns of critical time for wildfire risk as evacuations start

By Nia Williams

(Reuters) - Alberta introduced more fire restrictions on Wednesday, as officials said the 2024 wildfire season had started earlier than usual due to ongoing drought and warned that the western Canadian province was entering a critical phase for fire risk.

Around 30 people were forced to leave their homes in the Peace River region in the north of the province due to a fast-spreading wildfire on Tuesday, and local media reported inmates from the Peace River Correctional Facility were also evacuated.

Earlier in the week, around 20 people were told to evacuate the Cold Lake First Nation due to a separate fire, although that order has since lifted.

The evacuation orders mark what is expected to be another severe year for wildfires in western Canada, which is dealing with widespread drought and warmer-than-normal spring temperatures.

There have been 205 wildfires in Alberta so far this year burning about 755 hectares, Alberta Wildfire spokesperson Josee St-Onge told a news conference, well above the five-year average of 120 wildfires and 230 hectares burned.

"This is a critical time for wildfire in Alberta, snow has melted and exposed dead and dry vegetation which is extremely flammable," St-Onge said. "Until vegetation green-up happens wildfires will easily ignite and spread very quickly."

In 2023, Canada endured its worst-ever year for wildfires, with more than 6,600 blazes burning 15 million hectares, an area roughly seven times the annual average. Eight firefighters died and 230,000 people were evacuated from their homes.

Alberta forestry minister Todd Loewen said 200 wildfires have already been fully extinguished this year.

"While the elevated number of new wildfire starts in 2024 points to concerning levels of wildfire danger, it also means our response tactics are working," Loewen said.

"We will be introducing fire bans today," he added, referring to restrictions governing when people can light campfires and bonfires.

Loewen said Alberta is training additional wildfire fighters and that hiring numbers were about 39% higher than last year.

(Reporting by Nia Williams in British Columbia; Editing by Alistair Bell)

Recommended Stories

49ers' brandon aiyuk targeting amon-ra st. brown's $120 million deal for new contract.

In his negotiations for a new deal, the 49ers receiver is looking at the recent $120 million contract Amon-Ra St. Brown signed with the Detroit Lions.

Former NFL first-round pick Billy Price announces retirement at 29 after pulmonary embolism

The Ohio State All-American underwent emergency surgery in April.

Stan Van Gundy reveals wife died by suicide in August: 'I just don't think I'll ever get over it'

Kim Van Gundy's obituary only said she died 'unexpectedly.'

NBA playoffs: Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton will not play in crucial Game 3 vs. Celtics

Haliburton left Game 2 in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.

Memorial Day sales 2024: We found the best deals on Apple, Bissell, Ninja and more

The holiday weekend runs May 24-27, but you can already save big on your favorite brands.

Juan Soto responds to Padres fans' boos by hitting 423-foot home run during Yankees win

Soto is batting .315 with 14 home runs this season for the Yankees.

This handy milk frother has more than 65,000 perfect reviews — and it's on sale for $8

Get barista-quality cappuccinos and lattes at home with this handy device — it's over 40% off right now.

Alyssa Milano says Nioxin 'helped tremendously' with hair loss — snag their products on sale for Memorial Day

The actor credits this thickening system with restoring her lovely locks.

'Bridgerton' Season 3 teases a spicy second half. Why Nicola Coughlan's sex scenes matter.

The sizzling onscreen romance has fans cheering for plus-size representation in the romantic lead.

Spyware app pcTattletale was hacked and its website defaced

U.S.-made consumer-grade spyware app pcTattletale has been hacked and its internal data published to its own website, according to a hacker who claimed responsibility for the breach. The hacker posted a message on pcTattletale's website late Friday, claiming to have hacked the servers containing pcTattletale's operations. TechCrunch is not linking to the site given the ongoing risk to victims, whose private data has already been compromised by the spyware.

I'm an interior designer, and these are Amazon's best Memorial Day patio furniture sales

My discerning eye has been drawn outside — create a lovely living space and enjoy the great outdoors with steals on Adirondack chairs, sofa sets and more.

The 35 best Walmart Memorial Day deals to shop this weekend — save up to 75% on summer essentials, outdoor faves and more

Ready for your holiday perusal: A Keurig hot and iced coffee maker for under $100, an adorably useful mini chainsaw for just $39 and a robot vacuum-mop combo for over $250 off.

This Week in AI: OpenAI and publishers are partners of convenience

This week in AI, OpenAI announced that it reached a deal with News Corp, the new publishing giant, to train OpenAI-developed generative AI models on articles from News Corp brands including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times and MarketWatch. The agreement, which the companies describe as "multi-year" and "historic," also gives OpenAI the right to display News Corp mastheads within apps like ChatGPT in response to certain questions -- presumably in cases where the answers are sourced partly or in whole from News Corp publications. News Corp gets an infusion of cash for its content -- over $250 million, reportedly -- at a time when the media industry's outlook is even grimmer than usual.

Amazon Memorial Day sale: The 40+ best deals on Apple, Le Creuset, Sony and more

Save up to 85% on everything from vacuums and tech finds to outdoor essentials for summer.

'Very flattering if you have a tummy': this flowy top is just $18 — that's over 40% off

With charming floral prints, flattering silhouette and flowy comfort, you'll be living in this top until the end of the summer.

Walmart's secret sale room is full of Memorial Day deals — score over $1,500 off a Samsung TV (yes, really!) and more

Also spotted for the holiday weekend: Ridiculously low prices on a Dyson vac, HP laptop and Michael Kors crossbody bag.

Amazon's got your next household hack, straight from 'Shark Tank' — our Memorial Day picks, from $10

These genius gadgets and gizmos will simplify and smarten up all manner of tasks.

Savings interest rates today, May 25, 2024 (best account provides 5.15% APY)

If you’re searching for today’s best savings interest rates, we’ve narrowed down some of the top offers. Learn more about savings interest rates today.

Caitlin Clark's next WNBA game: How to watch the Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces tonight

Are you ready to watch Caitlin Clark's next WNBA game? The Fever face the Aces tonight at 9.

Mortgage rates today, May 25, 2024: Rates ease up

These are today's mortgage rates. Though rates may continue to tick down throughout 2024, they probably won't plummet drastically. Lock in your rate today.

Residents excited to come home as evacuation order, alerts lifted in northeastern Alberta

M eredith Stanfield hoped she would be allowed into her neighbourhood Saturday morning to pick up a phone charger and a few days' worth of cat litter for her three pet felines.

Stanfield lives in Prairie Creek, one of four neighbourhoods in Fort McMurray, Alta., that was affected by an evacuation order due to a nearby wildfire. She was among thousands of 6,600 residents forced to flee on Tuesday.

When she reached the perimeter, a law enforcement official informed her she could return home permanently.

"I'm really excited now," said Stanfield, who has been staying at the Pomeroy Hotel in Fort McMurray since the order was issued Tuesday.

"I can't wait to turn around, go get all my stuff and my cats and go home."

A wildfire, burning about 5.5 kilometres southwest of Fort McMurray, has grown to about 19,500 hectares since it ignited on May 9.

The fire sparked an evacuation alert over a week ago, affecting Anzac, Draper, Fort McMurray, Fort McMurray First Nation, Gregoire Lake, Saprae Creek estates and Rickards Landing Industrial Park. The alert meant people had to prepare to leave on short notice, but some residents, with memories of the 2016 wildfire, left pre-emptively.

On Tuesday, the regional municipality issued a local state of emergency. An evacuation order issued that day for four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods — Prairie Creek, Beacon Hill, Abasand and Grayling Terrace — forced about 6,600 people to flee their homes.

The fire is still deemed out of control. But on Saturday morning, emergency and government officials expressed gratitude for firefighters and recent — and forecasted — weather, which stymied the local fire risk enough to lift all emergency alerts.

"If you've never had the opportunity to see the fire chief dancing in the rain, you missed your opportunity early this morning," said regional fire Chief Jody Butz during Saturday's wildfire update.

Alberta Wildfire and municipal officials decided to lift the evacuation order and emergency alerts for several reasons, according to a news release issued by the municipality Saturday.

Recent rainfall and cool temperatures calmed the wildfire and firefighters were able to make "significant progress" toward containing the northeast edge. Crews were also able to finish building fire guards in that portion, as well as in Fort McMurray, which will help prevent the fire from encroaching on the community, its landfill and Highway 63 — the city's main thoroughfare, the release says.

About 20 millimetres of rain has recently fallen on the wildfire, including about 10 millimetres Friday, leading to lower fire activity Saturday, said Josee St-Onge, an Alberta Wildfire public information officer.

Structure protection is still in place and firefighters finished spraying fire-retardant in the forest areas bordering the neighbourhoods affected by the evacuation order, the release says.

During Saturday's wildfire update, Mayor Sandy Bowman beamed as he declared the situation was safe enough for all citizens to return home.

"We will be very pleased to see you and we will thank you for your resolve, patience and strength," he said, addressing evacuees. "Welcome back — and please travel safely."

Lindsay Paddick, with her children and two pets in the vehicle, is among those excited to return home.

She and her family, who live in Beacon Hill, spent the past several days camping in Wandering River — roughly 180 kilometres south of Fort McMurray. They were en route to Fort McMurray Saturday to shower and pick up clean clothes, when they heard on the radio that the evacuation order was lifted.

"The timing was just perfect," she said.

As of Thursday, nearly 2,600 evacuees and 380 pets were registered at reception centres in Lac La Biche, Cold Lake and Edmonton, according to the municipality.

Plans are in place to bring those evacuees home, Bowman said, adding that emergency social services and supports will be available to them until noon Sunday.

Not yet out of the woods

Officials were cautious not to get carried away by Saturday's uplifting mood, however.

The wildfire is still not extinguished, Bowman said, warning that the local fire situation could change through the summer.

A fire ban for the area is still in effect.

In its news release, the municipality urged people not to travel into the forest near the wildfire, nor fly drones in the area, because crews are still working on the fire, which could take "many weeks" to bring under control.

"We need to give them the room they need," Chief Butz said.

Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen assured that the provincial government will send whatever resources are necessary to hold this particular wildfire, and, eventually, to get it under control.

"It will take some time … this is a large wildfire; the terrain that it's in is going to be difficult to work with," Loewen said Saturday. But thanks to the firefighting efforts, "we're able to take advantage of this weather change" and return people home.

All schools in Fort McMurray will be open Tuesday, after the long weekend, according to a joint statement from the city's three school boards.

There are 48 total active wildfires  burning in Alberta as of 3 p.m. MT Saturday, including seven mutual aid fires, according to Alberta Wildfire. The mutual aid designation means Alberta Wildfire is helping with the firefighting response, but it is not the lead agency.

The fire near Fort McMurray is the only one still deemed out of control, but an evacuation alert for the county of Grande Prairie is still in effect due to fire in the area.