PEACE RIVER FOREST AREA / WILDFIRE SITUATION
There are currently three fires classified as UNDER CONTROL in the Peace River Forest Area. Since January 1, there have been 110 wildfires in the Peace River Forest Area, which have burned approximately 15,912 hectares.
Of the 110 wildfires, 48 were caused by human activity, 59 were caused by lightning, and 3 are under investigation.
Wildland Firefighters watch as an air-tanker drops fire retardant on an active wildfire in the Peace River Forest Area, August 2024.
As October comes to a close, we officially mark the end of wildfire season here in Alberta.
2024 was a busier than average season, but not as severe as the record breaking 2023 season. Alberta Wildfire responded to 1217 fires so far this year, with 741,436 hectares burned. This time last year we responded to 1080 wildfires, with 2.2 million hectares burned.
Hot and dry weather in July and August caused a significant increase in lightning caused wildfires. Alberta saw 557 lightning caused wildfires in 2024, the highest number since July of 2004, with 541 lightning caused fires. Half of all wildfires this year were human-caused, at 610 as of October 28. The remainder, approximately 50 fires, are still under investigation.
Alberta Wildfire was well prepared for the 2024 wildfire season. Declaring the fire season early on February 20 allowed us to activate the fire ban system to prevent human-caused wildfires, as well as hire, train, and position staff earlier. This, in addition to 100 additional firefighters, five additional contract crews, and three night-vision helicopters, allowed Alberta Wildfire to contain 85% of all wildfires within 24 hours of being detected.
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Wildland firefighters prepare a pump for water delivery in Jasper National Park, July 2024.
Wildfire activity impacted several communities in Northern Alberta, in the Fort McMurray and High Level forest areas. Some Fort McMurray residents were evacuated from May 14-18 due to wildfire MWF-017, and members of the Little Red River Cree Nation from John D'Or Prairie, Garden River, and Fox lake were evacuated at various times throughout July, due to the Semo Complex.
Wildfires were detected in the vicinity of Jasper National Park on July 22, eventually causing severe damage to the town of Jasper. Alberta has a mutual aid agreement with Parks Canada and contributed to the wildfire response in the national park with support personnel, firefighters, aircraft, and equipment.
An outdoor recreationist builds a campfire for warmth during Alberta's winter months.
Although wildfire season is over, wildfires can still start in colder conditions. Dead and dry vegetation is extremely flammable.
Fires that aren't extinguished properly in the winter can smoulder underground for months and re-emerge as wildfires in the spring when the conditions are right. We ask Albertans to follow safe burning practices year round.
CLASSIFICATIONS | Learn more about wildfire classifications.
LOCATIONS | View this wildfire on our interactive map by following the active wildfire link.
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