Given this year’s below-normal snowpacks and the forecast for dry summer conditions across many parts of Canada, wildfire risk is unusually high this year. Manitoba and Saskatchewan have already declared states of emergency, forcing mass evacuations. And here in Alberta, northern communities are under increasing evacuation orders due to out-of-control wildfires.
Canada is now at Level 5 — the highest rating on the National Preparedness Levels chart from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, indicating maximum national resource commitment. Firefighters and equipment in every jurisdiction in Canada has been put to use, and international help has been requested.
As of Monday, there were 61 fires burning across Alberta, with 25 classified as out of control and having scorched over 615,000 hectares. Help is arriving from across the country and the U.S., including teams from British Columbia, Yukon, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and American states such as Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Alberta evacuation updates include:
- Lac la Biche County has rescinded its mandatory evacuation order, but an alert remains for areas near Winefred Lake and Grist Lake.
- Conklin’s wildfire advisory has been lifted.
- Lesser Slave River residents are under a two-hour evacuation warning.
- Saddle Hills County has issued an evacuation order due to an out-of-control fire in the Blueberry Mountain area.
- Red Earth East Complex residents have been evacuated.
- At Caribou Lake, evacuations include MEG Energy’s Pike Lodge and local lodges.
- The Kiskatinaw River Wildfire has crossed into Alberta from B.C., sparking an evacuation order and alert in the County of Grande Prairie.
- At Sousa Creek near Rainbow Lake evacuations include the Hay River 209 Reserve and Chateh.
Know the wildfire status levels
Here’s how Alberta Wildfire classifies wildfires:
- Out of control: Fire is growing and not yet contained.
- Being held: Fire is contained and not expected to grow under current conditions.
- Under control: Fire is fully managed with no further spread expected.
- Mutual aid: Alberta Wildfire is assisting another agency outside of the Forest Protection Area.
- Turned over: Responsibility for extinguishing the fire has been transferred to another party.
Why fire bans matter
Alberta reports that 65% of wildfires this year have been linked to human activity. Common causes include burning without permits, abandoned campfires, and power line sparks.
Early this week, six of Alberta’s forest areas were declared at extreme wildfire risk.
Fire bans are one of the most effective tools to reduce these incidents and allow crews to focus on out-of-control fires. A province-wide fire ban is now in place across the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Calgary residents should be aware of the complete ban in Rocky View County, which surrounds the west, north and south of the city. This means no open fires are allowed, including in backyards and campgrounds. However, propane fire pits are still permitted. You can view all active bans and restrictions on AlbertaFireBans.ca.
Help prevent wildfires
There’s a lot you can do to reduce the risk of wildfire:
- Always use designated fire pits.
- Avoid fires during windy conditions and never leave them unattended.
- Never discard cigarettes or smoking materials out of vehicle windows.
- Obey all fire bans and restrictions.
- Don’t use fireworks or explosive materials during high-risk periods.
Be mindful of air quality
Albertans watched the smoke roll in across the province this week, with Calgary in particular experiencing poor air quality. Wildfire smoke from the north of the province has drifted our way, and conditions are likely to continue.
When wildfire smoke rolls in, air quality can pose serious health risks. Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index helps you understand when it’s safe to be outside:
- 1–3: Low risk
- 4–6: Moderate risk
- 7–10: High risk
- 10+: Very high risk
If the index rises, limit your time outdoors. If you need to be outside, especially if you’re in a vulnerable group (children, elderly, those with respiratory conditions), consider wearing an N95 mask to reduce exposure. You can find the latest air quality updates at Alberta.ca.
Prepare your home
If you live in a wildfire-prone region, the best time to prepare is now. Even though wildfire is a covered peril under your home insurance policy, nobody wants to have to file a claim.
Here are a few key steps:
- Create a defensible space around your home: keep brush, trees, and firewood at a safe distance.
- Practice Firesmart landscaping: keep trees at least three metres apart and prune low-hanging branches up to two metres above the ground.
- Install metal mesh screens over vents and under decks to block embers.
- Don’t store propane or fuel near your home or under decks.
- Keep lawns trimmed and remove dead wood.
Use the “FireSmart Begins at Home” app for a personalized risk assessment — it’s free and available on Apple and Android devices.
Where to find more information and resources
- Evacuation fact sheet
- Video: How to prepare for a wildfire
- Video: How to prepare for a wildfire without spending a lot of money
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- Alberta.ca/Wildfire-Status
- Alberta Emergency Management Agency contact phone: 780-422-9000 Contact email: [email protected]
We’ve got you covered at Lane’s Insurance
Insurance brokers such as us at Lane’s work for you, not the insurance companies, which is why you can trust us more than the others. We have access to a number of different policies from Canada’s best insurance providers, which we can compare to find you excellent coverage at great rates. We know the right questions to ask to help you determine the right amount of coverage for your property and your belongings and can ensure your policy provides for living expenses while necessary repairs are being carried out to your home after a disaster.
You can rely on your broker for the professional service necessary to help you make a smart, educated decision about your home insurance. Contact us at our Calgary, Edmonton, Banff and Alberta offices.
