Alberta moves up start date for wildfire season, fire season now underway

Alberta is declaring an early start to the 2024 wildfire season.

Alberta is declaring an early start to the 2024 wildfire season.

The season typically runs March 1 to Oct. 31, but Todd Loewen, minister of forestry and parks announced Tuesday the fire season is now underway as a result of warmer than normal temperatures and below average precipitation.

Loewen also said if passed, the upcoming provincial budget will include funding to hire 100 additional new firefighters.

This is a developing story; more information to come.