Alberta’s 2021 wildfire season sees more than 1,000 wildfires but less area burned than average

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Alberta’s wildfire season this year saw more than 1,000 wildfires that ignited, however, there was less area burned than on average.

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The province’s wildfire season came to an end on Oct. 31 and despite the dry weather, a total of 1,307 wildfires burned 52,955 hectares since March 1. In comparison, the five-year average between 2016 and 2020 is 1,123 wildfires burning 317,326 hectares.

“Our world-class wildland firefighting staff have worked diligently to keep Albertans and their communities safe,” said Devin Dreeshen, minister of agriculture and forestry in a news release Tuesday.

“Despite seeing more wildfires than average starting over the dry spring and summer months, our expert staff were very successful in managing the fires, leading to less forest area being burned.”

Due to the manageable conditions in Alberta and the absence of large wildfires like those in 2016 and 2019, the province was able to help eight other jurisdictions over the summer.

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A total of 492 firefighters, aircraft and equipment were sent to agency partners in need. This includes 111 firefighters and 64 support staff sent to British Columbia, and 250 firefighters and 12 support staff to Ontario.

The province also helped Manitoba, Quebec, the Northwest Territories, Alaska, Washington and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

According to the province, 62 per cent of wildfires this season were caused by human activity, 33 per cent were caused by lightning, while about five per cent are still under investigation.

“On average, the total number of human-caused wildfires has been declining in recent years, demonstrating the value of wildfire prevention programs and Albertans doing their part to reduce the number of these preventable wildfires,” the news release states.”

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“There are many ways human activity can cause wildfires, such as by leaving campfires unattended, burning debris, sparks from off-highway vehicles and arson.”

This wildfire season, Alberta Wildfire has been working with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and FPInnovations on the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) in wildfire management.

Test flights were completed this season and evaluations of the testing will inform potential use of the RPAS.

As well, Alberta Wildfire worked with FPInnovations on documenting and evaluating water-enhancing gel during the 2021 wildfire season. About two million litres of the gel were applied to test efficiency and cost-effectiveness in managing wildfires.

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While the official wildfire season has come to a close, Albertans should still be cautious.  Dry conditions can continue through the fall and winter months.

“Fire permits are not required in the Forest Protection Area outside of wildfire season but best practices should still be followed for fall or winter burning,” the release states.

Weather conditions should be monitored to burn safely and ensure smoke will not affect the surrounding areas while fall and winter burn sites should be checked in the spring to ensure they are completely out.

Fall wildfires can continue to smoulder over the winter months and reignite above ground in the spring.

ajunker@postmedia.com

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