Headlines News Wildfire Week
Alberta funnels $151 million into wildfire preparedness

March 5, 2024, Alberta – Alberta is investing an additional $151 million over the next three years for wildfire preparedness, prevention, response and mitigation.

This funding will enhance wildland fire fighting capacity with increased resources such as personnel, aircraft, drones, artificial intelligence, and night-vision technology.

Two additional long-term helicopter contracts, two new air tanker contracts and additional drones for aerial wildfire surveillance will be secured.

The province’s 2024 budget will also support the renewal of 130 helicopter contracts by April 1.

These resources are in addition to the hiring of 100 new firefighters, which will result in five additional 20-person crews.

Alberta Wildfire said in a government press release that it will continue to explore, research and test new developments in wildfire prevention, mitigation, smoke detection and suppression to assess how innovative technologies can support a rapid response and help extinguish wildfires.

For future wildfire seasons, the government said it is exploring options to potentially expand the province’s air tanker fleet and pilot more emerging fire fighting technologies.