Intense rain this week has lowered the imminent danger of wildfires in southern Alberta; however, hazardous conditions remain likely for the coming months.
The department of Environment and Climate Change Canada predicts higher-than-average temperatures throughout the whole province for the month of October.
Even though much of northern Alberta is anticipated to experience above-normal rainfall, most of southern Alberta is forecasted for less-than-average precipitation.
“If this prediction holds true, we might face issues with fires,” stated Mike Flannigan, an expert in fire management at Thompson Rivers University, noting that the risk of fire can quickly rise once the rainfall subsides.
“I have a saying, ‘Give me a week of warm, dry, windy weather. I can give you a raging inferno,’” he said.
Most of the Alberta wildfires sparked so far in 2025 have occurred north of Edmonton, according to the province’s
wildfire status dashboard
.
But Natural Resources Canada predicts the fire danger will shift to southern Alberta by August.
“Derrick Forsythe from Alberta Wildfire mentioned that it will likely be hotter and dryer throughout the southern areas, and it seems we’re expecting an average year for the northern regions of the province,” he stated.
He pointed out that the present long-term predictions aren’t “unusual.”
Some southern Alberta towns have lifted their fire bans following rain showers earlier this week. While Lethbridge has removed its fire ban entirely, Vulcan County transitioned from an outright ban to implementing restrictions instead.
Some southern Alberta communities still have fire advisories and restrictions in effect. In Rocky View County, for instance, Fire Chief Ken Hubbard is advocating for FireSmart initiatives.
He mentioned that part of this involves eliminating flammable drums along with grasses, shrubs, certain logs, branches, twigs, and needles located within 10 meters of structures.
A fire advisory was implemented in Canmore, with Fire Chief Ted Ruiter gearing up for the upcoming summer fire season; however, the advisory has now been rescinded.
The work on the Bow Valley community fireguard continues. An area extending from the eastern entrance of Banff National Park through to Dead Man’s Flats is seeing trees cleared to establish a less dense woodland region surrounding Canmore.
The community is encouraging inhabitants to embrace FireSmart measures, such as trimming trees near houses and getting rid of wood chips.
We recognize that we are enveloped by this stunning forest, and it also brings certain challenges related to climate change and wildfires,” stated Ruiter. “Jasper truly brought it into focus. This is our current reality, and it felt quite immediate.
Several wildfires
converged on the community
In July, the wildfire that hit Jasper devastated one-third of the buildings in the historical townsite, prompting both inhabitants and visitors to evacuate. The destruction was valued at approximately $1.23 billion.
Ruiter also mentioned that Canmore experienced a minimal snowpack this year, which could result in increased wildfire activity.
