The provincial government has announced tough new measures aimed at preventing wildfires in Alberta’s provincial parks and protected areas, a move that is needed in response to the extraordinary pressure on the public service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whether the measures – which include a fire ban in the vast forest protection area and new restrictions on the recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) in provincial parks – will reduce the number of fires this spring and summer remains to be seen.
What is known is that fighting man-caused fires along the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains would certainly cause great strain on resources and potentially put responders at unreasonable risk.
For his part, Devin Dreeshen, minister of Agriculture and Forestry, says the new preparedness measures will help the province focus resources where they are most needed should multiple emergencies happen at the same time in the coming weeks and months.
“With Alberta’s wildfire season matching with the expected peak of COVID-19, we have to take extra precautions to ensure our response efforts are well funded and planned out,” said Dreeshen. “This spring, we will find ourselves facing multiple disasters at once.”
The fire ban comes with new higher fines, increasing from $300 to $600 for first offences, and from $600 to $1,200 for violation of the OHV restrictions in provincial parks.
As well as the bans, the province has announced an additional $5 million to hire and train 200 firefighters who will be available to respond to wildfire suppression requirements.
The province says the recreational OHV restrictions in provincial parks and the fire ban are temporary measures that will remain in place only so long as needed.
Many thousands of people make use of the forest protection area, including in the West County, for camping and other recreational activities. As such, these the fire ban will no doubt cause some inconvenience over the next several months.
Nevertheless, the province should be applauded for these new measures aimed at protecting lives and ensuring vital resources are available should they be needed.
Dan Singleton is an editor with The Albertan.
