Rain subdued fire activity, but didn't quench thirst of driest areas: Alberta Wildfire
Government and Alberta Wildfire officials thanked Mother Nature for the recent rain in their weekly update Thursday, but noted it wasn't enough to undo months of drought in the driest parts of the province.
"Recent cooler weather and precipitation has meant wildfire activity has been more subdued this week. We've managed to extinguish a number of wildfires including some of those carryover wildfires that have been burning since last year," Alberta Wildfire spokesperson Christy Tucker said during the news conference in Edmonton.
Additionally, the agency is expecting closer-to-normal weather conditions by the weekend.
There are currently 42 active fires burning in the province, all of which are being held or are under control.
The Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard shows that 14 of those fires started this year, while the other 28 started in 2023, down from the 64 these numbered two weeks ago.
The precipitation that fell in the southern half of the province has Alberta Wildfire considering lifting advisories in the Calgary area and easing restrictions throughout western and central Alberta, Tucker said.
But restrictions will remain in effect in northern Alberta.
"That's where we've seen the greatest drought impact and the least precipitation over the winter, so that's where we could see potentially the bigger impact as soon as we have some changing weather conditions, particularly once we see some winds. It's already warmer in the north of the province than it is in the south of the province," Tucker said.
So far this year, 5,586 hectares have burned.
There have been 10 per cent fewer wildfires this year compared to the same time last year. By May 2, 2023, there were 277 wildfires compared to this year's 249.
However, more hectares have burned this year than had burned by early May 2023, as well as in any of the last five years.
By May 5, 2023, there were 92 active wildfires in Alberta – 31 of which were classified as out of control – and 13,000 people were forced to evacuate. The Alberta government declared a state of provincial emergency the next day.
About 70 per cent of the 249 wildfires that started in 2024 are believed to be human caused. The causes of the others – except one blaze known to be sparked by lightning – are still being investigated.
Tucker and Alberta's forestry and parks minister, Todd Loewen, encouraged Albertans to continue equipping themselves, either by learning about prevention, safeguarding their property or preparing for an emergency evacuation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Lyon-bound Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Montreal turns back midflight due to pressurization alert
Passengers heading from Montreal to Lyon, France on Friday were forced to return home and depart the next day after a pressurization indication was detected in flight.
Oilers dominate Canucks, win to force deciding Game 7
The Edmonton Oilers avoided elimination from the NHL playoffs Saturday night, beating the visiting Vancouver Canucks 5-1 in Game 6 of their second-round series.
The eight most expensive homes for sale in Ottawa this spring
Ottawa's ultra luxury housing market is blooming like the tulips this spring, with a significant increase in the number of homes sold worth more than $2 million.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.