Rainy forecast offers hope to subdue Alberta wildfires
CBC
Hot and dry conditions are challenging Alberta firefighters this weekend, but officials say the forecast in the coming days offers some hope.
In a Saturday afternoon update, Alberta Wildfire information unit manager Christie Tucker said they're anticipating a few days of cooler temperatures and precipitation.
The agency's wildfire map shows a scattering of areas across the province in red and pink which indicates extreme fire danger.
"We'd like a nice, steady rain for a few days," Tucker said. "That would help us a significant amount — something that will soak into the forest floor."
This change in weather conditions will assist firefighters and help the agency in deploying their resources, Tucker said.
A fire ban and an off-highway vehicle restriction is currently in place across the province's forest protection area.
A dozen parks and recreation areas have been closed, and several other sites are being closely monitored. The list of closures will continue to be updated online.
At the same time, thick wildfire smoke has settled over much of Alberta, prompting a special air quality statement across most of the province that advises people to avoid being outside due to the health risks of the smoke. On Saturday afternoon, Environment and Climate Change Canada's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) listed Edmonton's air quality at a 10+, or very high risk.
Tucker said there are currently 91 wildfires in Alberta's forest protection area, and 25 of those are out of control.
She also underlined just how severe this year's wildfire season has been, with 842,000 hectares burned so far.
"Last year, on this day, we [had] burned just 459 hectares. Not 459,000 — 459," Tucker said.
"So this year's total is nearly 2,000 times last year's."
Josee St-Onge, Alberta Wildfire information officer, said in an interview with CBC Saturday morning that fire crews are continuing their work.
"Good progress on many of these wildfires, building containment lines and fire guards around communities, but we're expecting another challenging day today," she said