Wildfire season begins
By Chantelle de Jonge Chestermere-Strathmore MLA
Wildfire season officially began on March 1, and Alberta’s government is taking a proactive, three-pronged approach to wildfire preparedness: prevention, mitigation, and readiness.
Albertans take pride in our province’s stunning wildlands and recognize we all have a role to play in protecting them. Safeguarding our natural spaces also means protecting communities from the devastating effects of wildfires. By focusing on prevention, mitigation, and readiness, our government is ensuring Alberta is prepared for the 2025 wildfire season.
When prevention is not enough, Alberta’s government is strengthening wildfire mitigation efforts. This includes controlled burns, constructing firebreaks, and managing forest vegetation to minimize the available fuel for fires. Many of the most destructive wildfires are fueled by dry, dead plant material that has been left unmanaged. Alberta is taking decisive action to reduce these risks and keep our forests safer.
With the arrival of the 2025 wildfire season, the province has eight active fires – less than the 60 we saw at this time last year. Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is investing $160 million in base funding for wildfire personnel, equipment, training, contracts for aircraft, bulldozers, and night-vision-equipped helicopters. We are committed to ensuring our firefighting forces have the right tools to do their job and are nothing short of state-of-the-art.
Our government remains committed to ensuring our firefighters have the best resources, technology, and support to do their jobs effectively. By working together, we can help prevent wildfires, protect our communities, and preserve Alberta’s natural beauty for generations to come.
Furthermore, Alberta’s government is implementing a proportionate, measured response to U.S. tariffs and taking decisive action on internal trade with free trade and mobility agreements.
As part of its non-tariff retaliatory measures, Alberta is altering its procurement practices to ensure Alberta’s government, as well as agencies, school boards, crown corporations and Alberta municipalities, purchase their goods and services from Alberta companies, Canadian companies or countries with which Canada has a free trade agreement that is being honoured.
Our government has also directed Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis to suspend the purchase of U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals (VLTs) from American companies until further notice. This will ensure Alberta and Canadian brands take priority in restaurants, bars and on retail shelves.
As always, please feel free to reach out to my office with your feedback and questions (Chestermere.Strathmore@assembly.ab.ca).
(Chantelle de Jonge is the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore and the Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities)