Rocky Forest Area Wildfire Update

Overview of season – what was the season like?

The 2017 wildfire season was relatively quiet with below average numbers. Since March 1, 2017, Alberta has recorded 1,230 wildfires in the forest protection area that have burnt a total of 49,129.55 hectares.

5 Year Average

March 1 to Today’s Date

(2012/2016)

Last Year

March 1 to Today’s Date

(2016)

This Year

March 1 to Today’s Date

(2017)

Number of Wildfires

1,486

1,400

1,230

Area Burned (ha)

300,813.28

611,465.97

49,129.55

What was the wildfire season like this year?

The spring was relatively wet, keeping the fire hazard quite low at a time when it’s usually much higher.
Instead, in April and May, the grass became green and the leaves came out on the trees and we ended up well below our historical norms for the number of wildfires for that time of year.
This year, however, the fire hazard grew steadily during the last months of summer especially in the southern parts of Alberta.
Then, forests throughout those mountain areas of the province quickly became tinder-dry in late summer.

What contributed to low number of wildfire?

It was a relatively wet spring, keeping the fire hazard low during the period of time that is traditionally much higher.
Our fire experts implemented fire restrictions, fire bans and forest area closures across much of the south throughout the late summer and fall months.
Albertans respected these restrictions and that contributed to a low number of wildfires burning.
New regulations including the changes to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act saw the province issue 150 enforcement actions which resulted in approximately 50 violation tickets being issued provincially.

What were firefighters doing during this wildfire season?

Our wildfire experts enacted fire restrictions, fire bans and forest area closures across much of the south throughout the late summer and fall months.
As well, because the wildfire hazard was so high, we had many firefighters on high alert so that they could respond to fires as quickly as possible.
- Firefighters, aircraft and equipment were sent to British Columbia, Ontario, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Parks Canada, CIFCC, Oregon and Montana to help with wildfires in those areas, including:
  - 567 firefighters to B.C.
  - 7 firefighters to Northwest Territories
  - 23 firefighters and 8 pieces of equipment to Parks Canada
  - 22 firefighters to Oregon
  - 91 firefighters to Montana.
- There were 12,444 personnel days on export during wildfire season. Total exports were 714 firefighters, 2 airtanker groups, 2 birddogs and 8 pieces of heavy equipment.
- Alberta Wildfire assisted with 26 requests from municipal partners through mutual aid agreements.
We always had enough firefighters here to ensure the safety of Albertans from wildfires.

What happens now?

Wildfire Season ends October 31, 2017 but safe burning practices are always in season.
A fire permit is not required for burning outside of the fire season (November 1-February 28) in the Forest Protection Area, but we ask that Albertans continue to use caution with their winter burning. Wind and dry grass can create the right conditions for a wildfire to spread quickly.
Do not burn if the wind speed is over 15 km/hr. Wind can pick up sparks or embers and start a wildfire if the conditions are right.
As with any burning, do not burn more than you can control.

COME JOIN OUR TEAM
Skip the morning commute and take a helicopter to work! Apply by November 30 to become a wildland firefighter. Please visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca/jobs for more information on our many seasonal job opportunities.

Get the most up-to-date wildfire information for the entire province by downloading the Alberta Wildfire app for Android or Apple devices.

Barry A. Shellian RPFT
Wildfire Information Officer
Department of Agriculture and Forestry
P 403.845.8351
May the Forest be with you

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