Slow start to Alberta wildfire season linked to weather and COVID-19 restrictions

This story is part of the World on Fire series, a five-part podcast that takes us to the front lines of out-of-control wildfires in Canada, Australia and California. Recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, each episode examines what it takes to find hope in the midst of fear and destruction. Wildfires cost us our health, our homes and our communities, yet people everywhere rebuild and not just survive but thrive.

A combination of more rain and less human activity in Alberta's forests due to COVID-19 restrictions hascontributed to a slower start to the wildfire season this springcompared torecent years.

"We have been fortunate so far this year," said Derek Gagnon, provincial information officer with Alberta Wildfire.

Fewerthan 500 hectares of forest have burned in the province since March, according to the province's data.

At this time last year, four large fires, including the Chuckegg Creek fire near High Level, had already burned more than350,000 ha.

• A year after start of Chuckegg Creek wildfire, new hot spot flares up
• Massive wildfire season has Alberta seeking review of prevention, response strategies

By the end of the 2019 fire season, almost 900,000 hectares of forest in Alberta hadbeen consumed.

In big fire years, the province typicallycalls in reinforcements from other jurisdictions, something that wouldn't beeasyduring apandemic, Gagnonsaid.

"This year with COVID-19 travel restrictions and work restrictions in place, that was likely not going to be the case, which is why we ended up putting in that fire ban in mid-April," he said.

The fire ban, which covered Alberta's protected forests and provincial parks, was lifted in late May after the province received enough rain.

"There weren't as many human-caused wildfires as a result of this," Gagnon said. "We saw that compared to last season, which was one of our busiest seasons on record."

• Campers rejoice: Sweeping fire ban downgraded to fire advisory

In 2019, there were 989 wildfires in the province withmore than 70 per cent of them caused by people, according to Alberta Wildfire. The rest were started bylightning.

The top two human causes last year were arson and recreational activities, such as campfires and off-road vehicles.

There have been half the amount of human-caused wildfires so far this year compared to 2019, Gagnon said, thanks in part to the fire ban and limits on gatherings.

"The measures that have been taken to stem the spread of COVID-19 have definitely also helped stem the spread of wildfires."

Jen Beverly, an assistant professor of wildland fire in the department of renewable resourcesat the University of Alberta, is keen to see the complete data at the end of the season.

"I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the actual stats for this year," she said. "Anecdotally, the weather that we've had, it looks like that's a really key factor."

People tend to start the most fires in spring and fall when conditions can be extremely dry, Beverly said.

"We now have green conditions across the province. That certainly bodes well," she said.

"But that doesn't mean that we couldn't get into an extended drought period later this summer and end up with a bunch of lightning fires."

• 'Uncharted times': Planning for wildfire season amid the COVID-19 pandemic

While humans cause more wildfires,those fires tend to be smaller than the ones started by lightning, Beverly said.

"When people start fires, there's often people present and so they can attempt to put the fire out or it gets reported really quickly," she said. "Those fires tend not to get big."

Fire is a normal part of the forest ecosystem, but the province will always act to protect infrastructure, Gagnon said.

"When wildfire is so close to people we have to take it into account," he said. "We have to protect the people of Alberta."

Albertans also need to recognize their role in fire prevention and reduce their impact on the forest,Gagnonsaid.

"There is that responsibility to make sure that you're looking after it and that it's there for generations to come."

Ask an Expert: Wildfire expert Mike Flannigan

4 years ago

Duration 38:23

Host Nancy Carlson sits down with Mike Flannigan, professor of wildland fire at the University of Alberta, to talk about the changing dangers of wildfires in Alberta and beyond.