Summer is the perfect time of year for weekend getaway trips to the mountains, lakes and campgrounds. Forest fires can happen all year round, but are most active during the months of May to September (Public Safety Canada, 2024). Here are some things to look out for when preparing for a getaway trip to assess your safety.
How do Wildfires even start? There are numerous factors that could cause a Wildfire; these include natural, human-induced factors, and most of all climate change.
Natural Factors:
Lightning: this is a natural ignition source for wildfires, especially in boreal forests.
Dry Vegetations: dry environments such as grasses, brush and trees can help spread the fire rapidly.
Prairie and Mountain Landscapes: Alberta has different varieties of landscapes which includes prairies and the eastern slopes of the Rockies; this makes wildfires more susceptible due to strong winds and dry conditions.
Human Factors:
Human-caused: a major portion regarding the wildfire in Alberta is attributed to human activity. This includes abandoned campfires, discarded cigarettes and other carelessness.
Recreation: an increased recreational use in forested areas can increase the risk of human caused fires.
Climate Change:
Increased Temperatures: Warmer temperatures lead to drier conditions, making vegetation more susceptible to ignition and faster burning.
Drier Conditions: reduced rainfall and snowpack contribute to drought conditions, further exacerbating fire risk.
Longer Fire Seasons: Warmer temperatures are causing fire seasons to start earlier and last longer.
Here are a few things we can do as a community to prevent Wildfires in our own little way!
- Check the weather app for the air quality and if there are any advisories within the area that you are going to. This will help you decide or modify any plans for outdoor activities.
- Be aware and careful with outdoor fires. Make sure to not leave any campfires unattended and completely extinguish the fire before leaving.
- Dispose your cigarettes properly. Use ashtrays or ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and avoid flicking cigarette butts out of car windows.
- Report suspicious behavior. If you see someone misusing fire or if a fire has started already, report it immediately.
Travel Alberta offers information about conditions on the grounds in Alberta that you might plan on visiting. Visit the site if you are curious about the full detail of what you can do before, during or after a wildfire situation!
Let’s do our best as a community to prevent the spread of Wildfires by being aware and prepared when such occasions occur while having a fun Summer :)
References:
Public Safety Canada. (2024, October 8). Wildfires. https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/wldfrs-en.aspx
