Province boosting wildfire response network with additional weather stations in key spots

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on April 12, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

The province announced on Thursday it is investing an additional $900,000 over the next three years for upgrades to its response network and to add new stations to key locations in wildfire hot spots.

The new investment announcement means the province will spend a total of $1.9 million on upgrades over the next three years as the budget already set aside $1 million.

“Our government is continuing to make strategic investments to enhance our wildfire-fighting capabilities,” said Todd Loewen, minister of forestry and parks.”

Currently the province’s fire weather and response network comprises 150 weather stations across the province that collect information on environment factors including temperature, humidity, wind conditions and moisture level.

“By better predicting how fire risks evolve throughout the season, we’re not only helping Alberta Wildfire teams respond more effectively, we’re also helping communities reduce their exposure to wildfire,” adds Loewen.

The province says by improving the collection of weather data, especially during the spring thaw and when snow melts, can better forecast drier conditions that increase wildfire risks.

“These upgrades will not only enhance fire danger monitoring but also support more effective resource planning, ensuring firefighting efforts are deployed effectively from the outset of the wildfire season,” reads a release.

In total the province has set aside $160 million of its budget to combat wildfires this fire season, which officially began March 1 and runs until Oct. 31.

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