News Release
Alberta wildfire crews and rainfall delivered
Alberta is marking the official end of the 2026 wildfire season while looking at the progress under the Alberta Wildfire Mitigation Strategy.
Alberta’s wildfire preparedness program and firefighting crews drove a successful response to wildfires in 2026. Significant rainfall across much of the province contributed to a less active wildfire season than in previous years. Alberta maintained resources to respond at home while having the capacity to assist other jurisdictions.
The end of the wildfire season does not mean wildfire work stops. Alberta’s government remains prepared year-round to build our response capacity and work to reduce wildfire risk continues in communities and across landscapes through the Alberta Wildfire Mitigation Strategy.
“This was a different kind of season than we’ve seen in recent years and we’re grateful for that. But wildfire doesn’t keep a calendar. While the rainfall helped, we are very proud of the work our wildfire teams have done on initial attack, working to get fires under control before they become a threat to communities.”
Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks
2026 wildfire season
The hard work and readiness of Alberta’s wildfire crews, along with favourable weather, helped make the 2026 wildfire season a successful one. Since Jan. 1, Alberta Wildfire responded to 785 wildfires in Alberta that burned just under 18,000 hectares, compared with a five-year average of 996 wildfires, burning more than 660,000 hectares.
For a brief period in mid-August, Alberta’s wildfire map showed no active wildfires. This was the first time in 40 years there were zero recorded wildfires at that time of year.
“Wildfire season asks a lot of everyone involved, and protecting communities takes a real team effort. Our crews move large volumes of water over long distances and tough terrain to support the firefighters, aircraft and equipment working the line. We’re proud to work alongside Alberta Wildfire and the communities we serve, and we’re grateful to every firefighter and partner who helped keep Albertans safe this season.”
Guy Parlette, chief operating officer, Fire and Flood Emergency Services
Alberta strengthened its ability to respond to remote wildfires by investing in its new hoist program. Alberta Wildfire added two hoist-equipped helicopters, a five-person crew and expanded training capacity in Hinton. Additionally, the Mutual Aid Incentive Pilot was introduced to encourage municipalities to request assistance fighting wildfires sooner by offering up to $125,000 to help cover eligible costs.
Preparations for the next wildfire season already underway
Alberta has taken significant steps to reduce wildfire risk and protect communities since launching the Alberta Wildfire Mitigation Strategy. The Alberta Wildfire Mitigation Strategy recognizes that wildfire resilience is a shared responsibility. Six months after its launch, Alberta is seeing tangible results through stronger partnerships, increased public preparedness, strategic fuel reduction and on-the-ground work.
As work continues, Alberta remains focused on reducing the impacts of wildfire. Since April 1, 2025, almost 1,000 hectares of strategic fuel breaks have been constructed by managing vegetation and clearing space in the forest to help slow wildfire spread and reduce fire intensity near developed areas. In addition, more than 6,200 hectares have been treated near 24 at-risk communities through the Community Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program.
Partnerships remain at the centre of Alberta’s wildfire mitigation efforts. The Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) has committed more than $7 million for 61 community FireSmart projects across the province.
Since April 1, 2026, FRIAA’s Community Fireguard Program has also committed more than $10 million to five new projects in Castle Mountain, the Kananaskis Improvement District Lower Cottage Subdivision, Canmore’s south boundary, Bigstone Cree Nation and Driftpile Cree Nation. Work on these projects is expected to begin this fall and continue into 2027.
“The safety of our communities and the protection of our forests are the heart of what we do. Wildfires can happen at any time, so we stay trained, prepared and ready to respond. We’re proud to work with Alberta Wildfire and to support the residents of the Lac la Biche area whenever we’re needed.”
Kelly Shirt, Goodfish Lake Firetack crew contractor, Lac la Biche Forest Area
Alberta has continued to work to ensure Albertans are the most informed and best prepared for wildfire risk through expanded education, training and preparedness initiatives. FireSmart Alberta continues to build momentum across the province, with more than 1,600 Advanced FireSmart Home Assessments completed since spring. Communities are also using the new FireSmart Alberta Community Scorecard to measure preparedness, identify priorities and track progress toward wildfire resilience practices.
As the province prepares for future wildfire seasons, Alberta’s government remains committed to protecting communities, critical infrastructure, natural resources and the economy. By being prepared and working together, Alberta can reduce the negative impacts of wildfire while ensuring families, communities and industry continue to thrive.
Quick facts
Alberta’s legislated wildfire season runs from March 1 to Oct. 31.
In 2026, Alberta proudly shared the expertise of more than 1,000 personnel to support wildfire agencies in Australia, Ontario, Quebec, the Northwest Territories, British Columbia and the United States.
In 2025-26, Alberta Parks completed more than 125 hectares of FireSmart hazardous-fuel treatments in nine provincial parks during the first year of its formal provincewide wildfire mitigation program.
Since the Community Fireguard Program launched in 2024, the following has been funded:
twenty-four detailed community fireguard plans
five community fireguards completed
five new community fireguards entering construction phase in fall 2026
In 2025-26, FRIAA funded 61 community-based FireSmart projects, including nine Community FireSmart Plans, 17 education and outreach initiatives, and 33 fuel management projects.
Through the federal and provincial cost-shared program, Resilient Communities through FireSmart, 31 wildfire mitigation projects have been completed across all eight recognized Metis Settlements.
Since 2013, funding has supported completion of 772 FireSmart projects, benefiting 180 Alberta communities.
