Flames in the rearview mirror: A quick look back at Alberta wildfires
Wildfire seasons can vary widely from year to year in Alberta—sometimes it's nature, and sometimes it's nurture, with man-made blazes.
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According to Alberta government figures published by Forestry and Parks, in 2024, there were 1,184 wildfires in the province, above the five-year average of 1,067 wildfires.
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The top wildfire causes were lightning (557), residential (131), recreation (125) and incendiary — fires that were intentionally lit, which includes but isn't limited to arson (84), power lines (79) and agricultural (60).
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In 2024, wildfires burned over 708,000 hectares—a figure dwarfed by 2023's 2,211,900 hectares, three times as much territory.
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The COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on wildfires. In the 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, just 3,269 hectares burned —compared to 883,411 the prior year, in 2019.
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In 2024, lightning-caused wildfires, common in the summer months, burned 685,849 acres.
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The peak month of wildfire activity in 2024 was July, with just over half of the season's new blazes starting up that month.
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But the lion's share of fire damage occurred in July, with some 95 per cent of the season's singed territory occurring that month, with 673,416 hectares going up in smoke, compared to 35,112 in the rest of the season put together.
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In 2024, some 1,320 firefighters from outside Alberta came to help, with 680 of those from around Canada.
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Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Air quality warnings impacting Manitoba amateur, professional athletes alike
This year's Manitoba High School Athletic Association Provincial Track and Field Championships have been cancelled due to ongoing air quality concerns caused by wildfires in the province, making conditions unsafe. More than 1,500 athletes from grades 9 through 12 were set to compete in the three-day competition planned for June 5–7 at University Stadium on the University of Manitoba campus. The MHSAA had originally postponed all scheduled events on Thursday to Friday, hoping air quality would improve, but updated at 6:15 a.m. today that the event would be cancelled entirely. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS This is the first time the Manitoba Provincial Track and Field Championships have been cancelled over unsafe air quality levels from wildfire smoke. The MHSAA air quality protocol states, 'Poor air quality can impact the health and performance of outdoor sport participants, including athletes, coaches and sports officials. The MHSAA recognizes the potential short and long-term health effects of engaging in physical activity outdoors when the air quality is poor, and is fully committed to reducing the risk posed to outdoor sport participants to help contribute to safer outdoor activities and events.' Chad Falk, the executive director of the MHSAA, said that, unfortunately, rescheduling is not an option. 'The nature of the event and how many athletes, the unique venue, access to officials, access to venues, kids travelling from all over the province, it was just impossible to look at finding a way to reschedule it,' said Falk. 'Especially with time constraints heading into the end of June with exams, all those types of things.' The only other times the MHSAA track and field provincials were outright cancelled were during COVID years in 2020 and 2021. While there have been previous schedule changes and event condensing due to weather, such as severe rain or thunderstorms, there has never been a cancellation caused by smoke. 'I think this is definitely going to become a reality for us for outdoor sports moving forward,' said Falk. The MHSAA uses real-time data from PurpleAir sensors, which are spread across North America, to monitor air quality, including two located at Princess Auto Stadium. Data from Environment Canada and recommendations from Health Canada are also consulted. If the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reaches eight or higher at any point during an event, the MHSAA pauses competition. 'It's heartbreaking,' said Falk. 'Especially for the Grade 12s, this was their finale to high school sport… It's always a great wind up, in a sense, of a school year, celebration of high school sport, and it's sad not to see it move forward.' Other Winnipeg outdoor sports have been affected by wildfire smoke, including last week's Winnipeg Blue Bombers pre-season game against the Roughriders in Regina, which was delayed by an hour until air quality improved due to wildfires burning in Saskatchewan. And on Wednesday, Bombers practice was forced indoors to the WSF South building due to the poor air quality caused by the Manitoba wildfires. Next door at Princess Auto Stadium, Valour FC's 11 a.m. kickoff against Vancouver FC was pushed back 30 minutes as the AQHI was hovering around 12. On Sunday, Valour had a match that was pushed back two-and-a-half hours for the same reason. It's a situation the Valour and the Bombers may very well face this season if the issue persists. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers practice was forced indoors to the WSF South building due to the poor air quality caused by the Manitoba wildfires. For the Bombers, under CFL regulations if the AQHI reaches eight or above using Environment Canada metrics during warmups or games, the onsite League Representative will enact the league's air quality procedure, which includes automatically stopping the game and sending teams to their dressing rooms. 'We've come up with some pretty good protocols and we observe it well,' said Bombers long snapper Mike Benson on Wednesday, a CFLPA representative. 'I don't think we get distracted by it at all. We just know we have to get our work done no matter where we are. It's a relatively new protocol, it's only been around for a couple of years.' 'We're always tinkering with it to find the best solution, the fastest results, so we're not debating on the phone up to a minute before the game. But unfortunately, just like any kind of weatherman, you can't predict what's going to go on. All we can do is adapt, persevere and be OK with it as a team.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Winnipeg Goldeyes have had no interruptions, playing yesterday at Blue Cross Park despite an air quality warning issued by Environment Canada and an AQHI index of 10 at game time, which began at 6:30 p.m. The Fish ended up losing the three-game series and the series finale against the Kane County Cougars 1-2. There is currently no air quality regulations in place for the Goldeyes, however, they do offer ticket exchanges for people who can't attend games due to health conditions. The Fish are scheduled to open their next homestand tonight against the Kansas City Monarchs with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. — with files from Taylor Allen
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Track and Field Championships cancelled over wildfire smoke
This year's Manitoba High School Athletic Association Provincial Track and Field Championships have been cancelled due to ongoing air quality concerns caused by wildfires in the province, making conditions unsafe. Over 1,500 athletes from grades 9 through 12 were set to compete in the three-day competition planned for June 5–7 at University Stadium on the University of Manitoba campus. The MHSAA had originally postponed all scheduled events on Thursday to Friday, hoping air quality would improve, but updated at 6:15 a.m. today that the event would be cancelled entirely. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS This is the first time the Manitoba Provincial Track and Field Championships have been cancelled over unsafe air quality levels from wildfire smoke. The MHSAA air quality protocol states, 'Poor air quality can impact the health and performance of outdoor sport participants, including athletes, coaches and sports officials. The MHSAA recognizes the potential short and long-term health effects of engaging in physical activity outdoors when the air quality is poor, and is fully committed to reducing the risk posed to outdoor sport participants to help contribute to safer outdoor activities and events.' Chad Falk, the executive director of the MHSAA, said that, unfortunately, rescheduling is not an option. 'The nature of the event and how many athletes, the unique venue, access to officials, access to venues, kids travelling from all over the province, it was just impossible to look at finding a way to reschedule it,' said Falk. 'Especially with time constraints heading into the end of June with exams, all those types of things.' The only other times the MHSAA track and field provincials were outright cancelled were during COVID years in 2020 and 2021. While there have been previous schedule changes and event condensing due to weather, such as severe rain or thunderstorms, there has never been a cancellation caused by smoke. 'I think this is definitely going to become a reality for us for outdoor sports moving forward,' said Falk. The MHSAA uses real-time data from PurpleAir sensors, which are spread across North America, to monitor air quality, including two located at Princess Auto Stadium. Data from Environment Canada and recommendations from Health Canada are also consulted. If the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reaches eight or higher at any point during an event, the MHSAA pauses competition. 'It's heartbreaking,' said Falk. 'Especially for the Grade 12s, this was their finale to high school sport… It's always a great wind up, in a sense, of a school year, celebration of high school sport, and it's sad not to see it move forward.' Other Winnipeg outdoor sports have been affected by wildfire smoke, including last week's Winnipeg Blue Bombers pre-season game against the Roughriders in Regina, which was delayed by an hour until air quality improved due to wildfires burning in Saskatchewan. And on Wednesday, Bombers practise was forced indoors to the WSF South building due to the poor air quality caused by the Manitoba wildfires. Next door at Princess Auto Stadium, Valour FC's 11 a.m. kickoff against Vancouver FC was pushed back 30 minutes as the AQHI was hovering around 12. On Sunday, Valour had a match that was pushed back two-and-a-half hours for the same reason. It's a situation the Valour and the Bombers may very well face this season if the issue persists. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers practise was forced indoors to the WSF South building due to the poor air quality caused by the Manitoba wildfires. For the Bombers, under CFL regulations if the AQHI reaches eight or above using Environment Canada metrics during warmups or games, the onsite League Representative will enact the league's air quality procedure, which includes automatically stopping the game and sending teams to their dressing rooms. 'We've come up with some pretty good protocols and we observe it well,' said Bombers long snapper Mike Benson on Wednesday, a CFLPA representative. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'I don't think we get distracted by it at all. We just know we have to get our work done no matter where we are. It's a relatively new protocol, it's only been around for a couple of years. We're always tinkering with it to find the best solution, the fastest results, so we're not debating on the phone up to a minute before the game. But unfortunately, just like any kind of weatherman, you can't predict what's going to go on. All we can do is adapt, persevere and be OK with it as a team.' The Winnipeg Goldeyes have had no interruptions, playing yesterday at Blue Cross Park despite an air quality warning issued by Environment Canada and an AQHI index of 10 at game time, which began at 6:30 p.m. The Fish ended up losing the three-game series and the series finale against the Kane County Cougars 1-2. The Goldeyes are scheduled to open their next homestand tonight against the Kansas City Monarchs with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. — with files from Taylor Allen
Toronto Sun
30-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Province working to extract firefighters trapped in northern Alberta as wildfires surge
'We are working on a plan to extract all eight personnel using NVIS (night vision), though earlier attempts were limited by heavy smoke' Andrea Franko from Alberta Wildfire uses a drip torch to create controlled burns against wildfires near Saprae Creek south of Fort McMurray on April 24, 2025. A crew of eight firefighters are currently trapped in Chipewyan Lake and the province says they're working on a plan to extract them as severe wildfires rage across Alberta. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In a social media posted late Thursday night, Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said at approximately 8:20 p.m. wildland-urban interface crews temporarily lost radio contact while responding to a wildfire in the Chipewyan Lake located 450 km north of Edmonton. One team is currently sheltering at the fire station and another is safe at the school, designated the community's emergency shelter. 'We are working on a plan to extract all eight personnel using NVIS (night vision), though earlier attempts were limited by heavy smoke,' Loewen said. Loewen said there are also indications of damage to structures in the community, but the full extent remains unknown said Loewen. A mandatory evacuation order was issued on Wednesday for the community of Chipewyan Lake forcing residents to flee. There is currently a wildfire threatening the Chip and Alpac Road. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. Please continue to monitor official sources and stay safe,' Loewen said. More to come ctran@ X: @kccindytran Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun. Crime World Olympics Toronto Raptors Sunshine Girls
