Here's how Edmonton is preparing to battle wildfire season
The City of Edmonton says it's ready to take on wildfire season as another dry spring causes grass fires and bans in the capital region.
On Tuesday, Edmonton's fire chief outlined how the city and firefighters have prepared and what Edmontonians can do to help.
"Last year, our crews, our staff, city staff, our partners did an incredible job supporting the wildfire season and those that needed us," chief Joe Zatylny said.
"We had a look at what worked last year and how can we prepare and do even more, and so looking at things like studies of the river valley, active monitoring, working closely and comparing operational plans with each of our different partners to make sure we're doing our best to prevent and mitigate, and if the time comes, respond to those fires is just a good proactive approach that we're taking and I think it's prudent and smart to do."
In part, Edmontonians are asked to become "FireSmart" and follow fire bans and fireworks rules.
“We need everyone to play a role and help us," Zatylny said. "We want Edmontonians to know the actions they can take to prevent wildfires."
River valley safety
There have been more than 145 wildfires in Edmonton since Jan. 1, the city said, from the outskirts all the way to the river valley.
Several of those fires started in homeless encampments around the North Saskatchewan River.
"There's a variety of reasons why encampments pose a fire risk, and of course, the open ignition sources or intentionally set fires that are being used, whether it's cooking or eating, creates all sorts of risks," the fire chief said. "We want those people to be looked after, of course, and do our best to make sure that they're supported."
Drones will be used to monitor the river valley and attempt to prevent encampment fires.
"The river valley is a high risk and we want to make sure we're doing our best to mitigate that risk," Zatylny said.
"If there's a response in the river valley this summer, they can expect to see a lot of resources."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson and Alex Antoneshyn
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Boeing is on the verge of launching astronauts aboard new capsule, the newest entry to space travel
It’s the first flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule with a crew on board, a pair of NASA pilots who will check out the spacecraft during the test drive and a weeklong stay at the space station.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.