Alberta says it’s prepared for wildfire season with more helicopters, firefighters

Advertisement

Advertise with us

EDMONTON - Alberta's government says it's ready to tackle this year's wildfire season.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

Subscribe Now

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
  • Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.

EDMONTON – Alberta’s government says it’s ready to tackle this year’s wildfire season.

It says it has hired more than 550 seasonal firefighters.

This year’s wildfire contingent is also to include helicopters with night-vision capability and ones that can hoist firefighters in and out of rough terrain.

A clear cut fire break, part of the mitigation steps being taken, is pictured in Canmore, Alta., on Thursday, March 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A clear cut fire break, part of the mitigation steps being taken, is pictured in Canmore, Alta., on Thursday, March 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

The province has also purchased five new water bombers but they aren’t set to hit the field until 2031.

Municipalities facing wildfires are to receive $125,000 to support their response this year and the province says it encourages communities to ask for help sooner.

Todd Loewen, minister of forestry and parks, says the government wants to build a wildfire-resilient Alberta.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2026.

Report Error Submit a Tip

National

LOAD MORE