The risk of wildfires remains high in Western Canada but the situation is currently better than it was at this time last year. Burned trees damaged from recent wildfires are seen in Drayton Valley, Alta. on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

By The Canadian Press

WILDFIRES

Start of wildfire season better than last year, but risk is high as drought continues

May 9, 2024 | 12:18 PM

The risk of wildfires is high in Western Canada but officials say the situation is better than it was at this time last year.

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre says 90 fires are burning currently, and seven are out of control.

Almost half of the fires are in Alberta and one-third are in British Columbia.

Julienne Morissette, the director of wildland fire research for Natural Resources Canada, says the number and severity of the fires in 2024 are lower than average.

She also says the ongoing drought conditions mean the risk of damaging wildfires is significant, particularly in the northern prairies and the B.C. interior.

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Almost every region of the country has already seen months of warmer-than-average weather and Environment Canada says that’s expected to continue.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 9, 2024.