Early start to wildfire season

With the provincial government announcing an early start to wildfire season, one local fire chief isn't sure what to expect come springtime.

"It's pretty hard for us to predict until we actually have our snowmelt gone and see what our spring is going to bring out for moisture. If we have low moisture, we're going to have a higher fire season, but we have the spring rains, our fires go down," said Tom Metzger, district fire chief for Red Deer County.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier announced Feb. 16 that wildfire season will commence on March 1, one month earlier than the legislative requirement.

"We know right now, that there has been below average snow and rainfall across much of Alberta over the past few months," Carlier said.

He said the early start is one of the ways the government is acting on recommendations to enhance firefighting efforts after the 2011 Slave Lake fires.

Starting March 1, all burning activities in the Forest Protection Area will require permits. Campfires will be exempt.

"While the permits are free, they are a valuable tool to assist us in monitoring planned fires, to ensure we are well aware of potential hazards," he said.

"Burning permits are also an important reminder for Albertans to remain vigilant and to make sure they are taking the necessary precautions to use fire safely."

It's a good call, according to Chief Metzger.

"We require permits year round. I actually think it's a great idea. It just gives an idea to everybody in the area that there's a fire there. It gives us a heads-up if we get calls," Metzger said.

Speaking from the Provincial Forest Fire Centre in Edmonton, Carlier provided some ministry numbers.

Over the past five years, almost 70 per cent of wildfires have been linked to human activity.

Last year, 1,786 wildfires burned more than 492,000 hectares – an area more than seven times the size of Edmonton.