Alberta wildfire conditions in 'substantially' better shape than last year: minister

Alberta says it has set aside $160 million for wildfire fighting in 2025.

EDMONTON — Alberta’s forestry minister says muted wildfire activity to start the year is making him more optimistic than he was last year.

Todd Loewen says Alberta is in “substantially better shape” than it was in 2024 when it triggered an early start to the wildfire season.

There are seven active wildfires burning in Alberta, but they are contained.

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Last year, bone-dry conditions led Alberta to declare its wildfire season 10 days before its normal March 1 start date.

At the time, there were more than 50 active wildfires across the province.

Despite a record number of wildfires last year, the total area burned ended up being only a fraction of 2023’s record-breaking season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 4, 2025.

The Canadian Press