'Be fire aware': Alberta wildfire season officially underway
As the final snow disappears, the rising temperatures elevate the risk of wildfires, with officials asking Albertans to be cautious when enjoying the outdoors.
To date, there are 16 wildfires already burning, including seven new wildfires that have been ignited in provincial Forest Protection Areas. Two of those blazes are listed as under control by Alberta Wildfire.
At this time last year, there were 44 fires, explained Melissa Story, an Alberta Wildfire information officer.
"Nothing too serious happening right now," Story said. "But spring is high risk for us."
"With the weather conditions changing and the weather getting nicer, we will definitely see elevated fire dangers," she added.
"The wildfire danger across the province right now is relatively low, but we would encourage anyone who is out and about in Alberta's forested areas to take caution."
With little lightning, Story says all new burns so far this year were human-caused.
Alberta Wildfire Information Officer Melissa Story surveys a forest on Saturday, April 8, 2023 (CTV News Edmonton/Amanda Anderson).
"Historically, all of our major wildfires that we have had in this province have happened in the spring," she added.
Alberta Wildfire asks all campers or recreation area users to double-check check their fires are out and double soaking ashes to snuff any embers.
Off-highway vehicle drivers are also asked to regularly clean their mufflers and spark arresters in addition to stopping regularly to ensure they have not fallen off.
In total, there were 1,246 wildfires in forest protection regions, with around 130,000 hectares burned. Sixty-one per cent of those were human-caused. The five-year average for the province is 1,300 wildfires and 200,000 hectares scorched.
Three hundred firefighters specializing in wildland blazes are finishing their training for the season and being moved to regions across the province to be ready to respond.
"We had quite an elevated fire season in the fall of last year," Story said. "We just want to encourage Albertans and any visitors, if you are out in the forested areas, just be respectful."
"Be fire aware."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Happy tears' of victim's sister after prison attack on serial killer Robert Pickton
Cynthia Cardinal said she was 'overwhelmed' with happiness when she received a text message on Monday with the news that serial killer Robert Pickton, who murdered her sister, was attacked in prison. She called it 'karma.'
DEVELOPING Republican National Committee in Washington evacuated after blood vials received in package
The headquarters of the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C., was briefly evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspicious package containing two vials of blood was delivered to the building, the police said.
Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests
As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February
Interpol says more than 200 stolen Canadian vehicles have been found each week across the globe since February.
Thunderstorms with tornado risk in some areas in Ontario, snow elsewhere in Canada
Canadians can expect a mixed bag of weather, with forecasts warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and snow in some areas across western Canada.
opinion Biden steals debate issue from Trump campaign, makes it his own
Donald Trump had spent weeks needling U.S. President Joe Biden for his refusal to commit to a debate. But Washington political columnist Eric Ham describes how in one fell swoop, Biden ingeniously stole the issue from the Trump campaign and made it his own.
'All hell broke loose': Passengers on Singapore Airlines flight describe nightmare at 37,000 feet
Passengers on a Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence on Tuesday described a sudden, dramatic drop as 'all hell broke loose' on board the Boeing airliner carrying 229 passengers and crew.