Although dry conditions and heightened wildfire risks are expected in the spring, Parkland County says the situation has worsened in recent years.
During the first weekend of May, Parkland County responded to a wildfire near Beau Rand Estates, prompting a local state of emergency and potential evacuation.
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Read more:
- Parkland County says preparedness played role in controlling Beau Rand Estates wildfire
- Update: Wildfire near Beau Rand Estates contained
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Kyle Sherman, Parkland’s wildfire mitigation specialist, says it was not out of the norm for this time of year, with grass and undergrowth in a drying period due to strong winds and hot, drying sun.
“Anytime we’re coming out of winter, the fire risk is increased until we start getting some of that precipitation and rain,” he comments. “Also, we’re entering what we call spring dip. All of our deciduous trees, as they start budding, they get a waxy film on them, and that’s a high hazard.”
While low to moderate risk is expected this time of year, Sherman says a persistent drought in Alberta has increased that risk to moderate to high.
Fortunately, Parkland County is a member of the FireSmart program, a national initiative supported at provincial and municipal levels to decrease wildfire risk to properties.
“The program’s designed for residents to empower them, give them some tips, tricks and suggestions on things to do around their property to help protect it by creating a defensible zone around their home and prepare it for a wildfire,” Sherman explained.
This is a proactive approach to mitigating wildfire risk.
Sherman says 118 residents had assessments of their homes completed in 2024, the county’s first year with a full-time FireSmart coordinator, thanks to grant funding.
Assessments take 30-45 minutes, during which an assessor will walk your property and provide a list of recommendations to better prepare it for a wildfire.
There are three ways a wildfire can impact a home, Sherman says: radiant heat, direct flame impingement and embers. One of the biggest changes home owners can make to mitigate some of these risks is to clear dead vegetation, like leaves or pine needles, from the roof, yard and under the deck. He also recommends keeping grass and spruce trees effectively trimmed.
“We just want to try and help everybody so when these wildfires do come through, hopefully we’re giving people’s homes the best fighting chance,” he states.
“Now is the time to do fire smart [things] around your property and prepare for it, that way you’re not preparing for it last minute when there’s a wildfire maybe threatening your community.”
Assessments are completely free and can be booked through the Parkland County website.
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