Rain, increased humidity expected to help wildfire crews in Alberta

Firefighters working on the Sturgeon Lake Complex wildfire in the Grande Prairie Forest Area in May 2023. (Courtesy: Twitter/Alberta Wildfire)

Posted Jun 12, 2023 5:46 pm.

More than 14,000 Albertans are under evacuation orders and in limbo because of ongoing wildfires in the province. But a change in weather patterns has some people feeling hopeful.

In an update provided Monday, Melissa Story with Alberta Wildfire said high humidity and rain this week are expected to help firefighters battle the dozens of fires across the province.

“Most of the forest protection area has seen elevated wildfire behaviour over the last few days. Any time we see extended periods of hot, dry conditions, the wildfire danger will grow, along with the wildfire behaviour. However, we are expecting to see some reprieve this week,” she told reporters during the briefing.

Story says on Tuesday, a low-pressure system is expected to bring “widespread rain” into Alberta. Temperatures are also set to drop and humidity to rise.

In addition to a break in the weather, Story says Alberta will get help in the form of more firefighters from abroad.

“Alberta will also welcome 100 firefighters from Costa Rica and Chile tomorrow. This is the first time these firefighters will come to Canada and assist with widlfires here. On Thursday, we are also expecting to have 200 additional firefighters arrive from South Africa,” she explained.

Though there are 76 active wildfires — 24 of which are considered out of control — Alberta Wildfire notes the season is only just beginning.

“So far this year, we’ve responded to 632 wildfires, burning more than 1,385,000 hectares. We saw active fire behaviour on a number of wildfires across the province over the weekend,” Story said.

“The elevated fire activity serves as a reminder that we are still in wildfire season and there are many months ahead of us. A fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction remain in effect for the northern parts of the province, and a fire restriction is still in place for the remainder of the forest protection area.”

The area burned so far this season has preliminarily broken the previous record of 1,357,000 hectares, set in 1981, Story adds.

Off-highway vehicles can be a fun way to recreate outdoors. If you plan on using an OHV in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, remember to stop often and check your hotspots. Debris heated by the exhaust system can inadvertently start a wildfire when it falls to the ground. pic.twitter.com/4jpF40rzM7

— Alberta Wildfire (@AlbertaWildfire) June 11, 2023

Bre Hutchinson, executive director of provincial operations at the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, says as we move into the summer months, people must be cautious and aware of the fire danger out there.

“Albertans can help by staying informed, following fire bans, listening to local officials, and having an emergency plan in place,” she said.

Hutchinson is reminding evacuees to register either online or at a reception centre, “even if help is not immediately needed.”

“Registering not only makes it easier to get help and resources to evacuees, it also makes it easier for officials to reach residents with important updates and information,” she said.

While many have been ordered to leave their homes, Hutchinson notes there are also many Albertans under evacuation alert. These people are being encouraged to prepare to leave should there be a change in the situation.

“Being prepared to leave at a moment’s notice is vital,” she explained, adding people should prepare emergency kits for a week’s time or longer, and make a plan should they be forced to go.

There are currently eight states of emergency in Alberta, along with five band council resolutions.

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