Transcending borders: Alberta firefighters lend a helping hand

In Alberta , the Forest Protection Area marks the portion of the province where the provincial government is responsible for fighting and putting out wildfires. This year, crews have been extremely busy battling more than 1500 wildfires, which have scorched more than 118 000 hectares of forest. [visual: map of Forest Protection Area]

What about wildfires outside the Forest Protection Area?

Alberta firefighters boarding a plane to Oregon, 2002

Not all wildfires in Alberta occur within the Forest Protection Area. In some cases, other agencies request the support of provincial wildfire crews to battle out of control wildfires.

This year, provincial firefighters have worked side by side with staff from municipalities, national parks and even neighbouring provinces to fight more than 50 wildfires outside the Forest Protection Area. Equipment such as sprinklers, water pumps, hose and aircraft were also used to assist in these firefighting operations.

Do Alberta's firefighters ever work in other provinces?
Alberta actively contributes to Mutual Aid Partnerships that exist between all the provinces and territories in Canada and a handful of states south of the border. This partnership allows timely transport of equipment and personnel from areas of decreased wildfire activity to areas of high wildfire activity.

Firefighters loading a bus before heading to fire base in Ontario, 2003

This year, Alberta has sent crews and equipment to Ontario and the Yukon to help battle wildfires. British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Alaska have all assisted in our wildfire suppression efforts.

To find out more about wildfires burning throughout Canada and the United States, visit http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/wildfires/fpd/related_links.cfm

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Highlights

Low snowfall sparks an early start to wildfire season (March 1, 2006)

Wildfire Prevention is Everybody's Business (August 12, 2005)

Fire and Ice - Reducing the risk of winter burning (March 31, 2005)

Sustainable Resource Development’s FireSmart Program provides Albertans with the knowledge to reduce the risk of wildfire affecting their property and the forest from wildfire.
(December 6, 2002)