Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen April 14, 2020

By Chantal Wagner

Provincial measures to reduce human-caused & seasonal wildfires during COVID-19 outbreak

Apr 14, 2020 | 1:45 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB -Increased fines, bans, and resources, the province has implemented measures to reduce spring wildfires and protect municipalities this season.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen says we don’t need the added burden of human-caused wildfires this year.

He says emergency and social resources at provincial and municipal levels are already taxed with the COVID-19 response.

Alberta Wildfire is hiring 200 additional firefighters.

And a recreational off-highway vehicle ban on Crown land in the Forest Protection Area will come into effect on Wednesday, April 15.

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Alberta Parks is also implementing a fire ban in all provincial parks and protected areas.

“Also effective tomorrow we are increasing the fines for anyone found to be non-compliant in a fire ban or OHV restrictions. These are laws and they’re there in place for a reason. If you break the law you could receive a fine of $600 for being non-compliant with the fire ban or $1200 for not being compliant with the OHV restrictions.”

Dreeshen says anyone found to be the cause of a wildfire may also be liable for the costs associated with extinguishing the fire.

These fines are in addition to the existing penalties for arson under the Criminal Code.

The province will also be increasing Fire Smart funding up to an additional $20-million.

According to the government, typically, the wildfire hazard is highest in Alberta in late April through May, when fuel like trees and grasses have extremely low moisture content after the snow has melted.

Adding, more than a million acres burned last year and 71 percent of wildfires were human-caused and entirely preventable.