More firefighters arrive in Alberta, risk remains high with expectation of 'unseasonably hot, dry' weekend
CTV
Firefighters in Alberta are preparing for increased fire activity as warm weather returns on the weekend.
Firefighters in Alberta are preparing for increased fire activity as warm weather returns on the weekend.
After dropping on Tuesday and Wednesday, the number of wildfires in Alberta had risen to 82 by Thursday morning. Both previous days, 24 were classified as out of control. Early Thursday, 23 were out of control.
So far this year, 421 wildfires have burned 410,000 hectares and government officials say the fire risk in the province remains high.
"For context, that's about double the average area burned for the entire wildfire season, and it's only May 10," Christie Tucker, Alberta Wildfire's information unit manager, told media on Wednesday.
Tucker said wetter, cooler weather had improved fire conditions in some parts of the province, but Albertans will see more smoke and increased fire activity as the weather warms back up toward the weekend – especially in the north.
"Many parts of the province have seen showers and thunder showers over the last couple of days, but the north of the province remains warm and dry," Tucker said. "Tomorrow we expect low humidity and high temperatures in the Northern Boreal which could make wildfires more active up there."
Thursday morning, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued special weather statements for Alberta's largest cities, noting "unseasonably hot, dry conditions" are expected Sunday through Tuesday, with daytime highs in the high 20s to low 30s. That is 10 to 15 degrees higher than normal.