Wildfire prevention a shared responsibility says Minister of Forestry and Parks

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on March 1, 2025.

With wildfire season now underway, Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen issued a statement asking for Albertans to be proactive and prepared.

“Alberta has faced unprecedented wildfire challenges, and our government is committed to a three-pronged approach to wildfire preparations: prevention, mitigation and readiness to respond,” said Loewen.

The key to prevention efforts is stopping wildfires before they start, said Loewen, and therefore It is essential that every Albertan understands their role in preventing wildfires.

To help with this, the province is increasing public awareness campaigns and promoting safe practices for outdoor activities, while also enforcing fire bans as necessary.

“For situations where prevention is not enough, we have strengthened our wildfire mitigation efforts. This includes controlled burns, creating firebreaks and managing forest vegetation to minimize fuel for fires,” said Loewen. He praised the firefighting services throughout the province for their work to prevent and control fires, and committed to continue to fund essential equipment as part of Budget 2025.

“This year, we are entering the wildfire season with 10 active fires, a significant change from the almost 60 wildfires we saw this time last year,” said Loewen. “This is in large part thanks to the incredible work of Alberta’s wild land firefighters and support teams, the resilience of Alberta’s communities, and to the province’s historic investments, preparations and quick response to last year’s wildfires.”

Albertans are encouraged to enjoy the outdoor opportunities, but be mindful of fire restrictions and bans and ensure all fires are fully extinguished.

“By working together, we will be ready to face whatever the 2025 wildfire season brings,” said Loewen.