Anxiety Mounts in Alberta Mountain Towns as Wildfire Season Begins
Despite lingering snow in parts of Alberta, wildfire season has officially started, raising concerns among mountain communities about which town may face destruction next.
Towns such as Canmore and Hinton remain vigilant, recalling the devastating 2024 wildfire in Jasper, which destroyed a third of the town’s structures and forced 25,000 residents to evacuate overnight.
“Communities like ours, tourist destinations surrounded by forests, could face the same risk,” said Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert. He noted that the Jasper fire serves as a stark reminder of the threat wildfires pose and motivates local mitigation efforts.
Canmore Builds Fireguards
Canmore has launched a multi-phase project to construct fireguards around the town. These cleared strips of land prevent fires from spreading by removing trees and other vegetation that serve as fuel.
The first fireguard phase is complete on the sun-exposed south-facing slopes, which dry out fastest. The second phase is underway, leaving behind large debris piles, some reaching 10 metres high, which are scheduled for controlled burning next winter. A third fireguard will extend 150 metres wide and 15 kilometres south down the valley.
“Living in a valley full of trees, we all experience low-grade anxiety during wildfire season,” Krausert said.
FireSmart Program Protects Neighborhoods
Canmore has enrolled thirteen neighborhoods in the FireSmart program, encouraging homeowners to remove pine needles from gutters and keep roofs free of debris.
“Embers can travel two kilometres ahead of a wildfire,” explained Simon Bagshaw, Canmore’s FireSmart coordinator. “They land on woodpiles, conifer trees, or mulch, all of which can ignite.”
Hinton Prepares with Firebreaks
Hinton, located an hour east of Jasper, is creating a five-kilometre firebreak around the town, following the Jasper wildfire and a 2023 fire in nearby Edson.
“We are like three sisters—Jasper, Hinton, and Edson—and Hinton is the one in the middle that hasn’t been hit,” said Mayor Brian Laberge.
Laberge acknowledged that removing trees for fireguards can upset landowners. “People love their trees, and cutting them down is never easy,” he said.
Experts Cite Climate Change Risks
Wildfire expert Jed Kaplan highlighted that hotter summers, extended dry periods, and warmer winters due to climate change increase wildfire risks, making preventative measures essential.
“Mountain towns between Calgary and Vancouver can take concrete steps to reduce fire damage, but timing is critical,” Kaplan said.
Alberta Forestry Minister Todd Loewen reported that crews have already responded to 27 new wildfires this year. He emphasized that roughly 60% of wildfires result from human activity, with the remainder caused by lightning.
“Even small changes in behavior can make a big difference,” Loewen said.