What Alberta is doing to prevent wildfires in Canmore, Bow Valley

Alberta's government has announced help for the Bow Valley to safeguard it from wildfire after Jasper was scorched last summer.

As Alberta nears the start of another wildfire season, there are efforts underway to safeguard against wildfires in Canmore and the Bow Valley.

Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen held a news conference in Canmore on Monday to share details of the new Bow Valley Community Fireguard.

The fireguard is part of the Community Fireguard Program, which facilitates the removal of trees surrounding vulnerable communities that can act as fuel in the event of fires.

The province says the program helps ensure that residents, homes, businesses and critical infrastructure are better protected from the devastating effects of wildfires.

Work on the Bow Valley Community Fireguard began in the fall after the project received $750,000 in provincial funding; it includes a combination of mechanical tree removal and forest thinning.

“Alberta faced significant wildfire seasons over the last two years,” said Loewen. “The reality is that decades of fire suppression left our forests aging and vulnerable. By working together with our at-risk communities, we are taking steps to increase wildfire resilience across Alberta.”

Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert says wildfires pose the greatest risk to the mountain community.

“With hotter, longer and more intense fire seasons, work on building the Bow Valley Community Fireguard is critical to ensuring that we have the means and the plans to combat this significant threat to people, property and critical infrastructure,” he said.

Wildfire season in Alberta usually runs March 1 – Oct. 31.

The province says several other fireguard initiatives are underway, including in Hinton.

Alberta’s last wildfire season was a record-breaking one.

The province responded to more than 1,200 wildfires and more than 705,000 hectares burned.

In 2023, there were fewer fires, but more than 2.2 million hectares burned.

In July 2024, two fires tore through Jasper National Park, forcing the evacuation of 25,000 people.

More than 1,300 international firefighters and support staff arrived to help battle the flames.

Government of Alberta data shows about two-thirds of the wildfires were started by people, and most of the remaining were from lightning.

Tracy Little lives in Canmore but was in Fort McMurray visiting family when wildfires broke out there in 2016.

“Wildfires have personally affected my family,” said Little.

Her father was forced to relocate. When the fires in Jasper happened, she started a donation centre for residents fleeing the area.

“Lots of people who lost their places and had nowhere to go, and it was heartbreaking to see them when they came through Canmore,” said Little.

She is happy a firewall is being built, but in her opinion, one can’t be built around the whole municipality soon enough.

“Once they start, they are extremely hard to stop,” said Little.

There are plans for expansion of the current fireguard to go around the whole town.