As the snow of spring lingers in parts of Alberta, the onset of wildfire season casts a shadow of uncertainty over the region. In the picturesque mountain towns of Canmore and Hinton, local leaders are not waiting for disaster to strike; they’re taking proactive measures to safeguard their communities. The memory of the devastating fires that ravaged Jasper in 2024—destroying a third of its structures and forcing 25,000 residents to evacuate—remains fresh in their minds.
Preparing for the Worst
Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert expressed the shared anxiety that looms over towns nestled in the forest. “Being a community, very much like ours… a tourist destination surrounded by trees… it could happen to you,” he remarked in an interview. The catastrophic events in Jasper serve as a stark reminder of the potential destruction that wildfires can bring, motivating Canmore to initiate a multi-phase project aimed at constructing fireguards around the town.
The fireguards, which involve clearing strips of land from trees and dense foliage, aim to halt wildfires in their tracks by depriving them of fuel. The first phase has already been completed on the sun-drenched southern slopes of nearby mountains, while a second fireguard is progressing well, with the landscape now dotted with large piles of debris—some reaching heights of up to ten metres—that will likely be burned in the winter months. A third initiative is set to create a substantial 150-metre fireguard spanning 15 kilometres down the valley.
Community Initiatives and FireSmart Program
Krausert acknowledges the underlying anxiety that residents feel as wildfire season approaches. “I think all of us who live in the valley as we go through wildfire season have some low-grade anxiety,” he admitted. “You can’t live in a valley full of trees and be comfortable given the wildfires in the last number of years.”
In addition to the fireguard projects, Canmore is actively engaging its residents in fire prevention through the FireSmart programme, which encompasses 13 neighbourhoods. This initiative encourages homeowners to take simple yet vital steps, such as clearing pine needles from gutters and keeping roofs free of debris. Simon Bagshaw, the town’s FireSmart coordinator, highlighted the dangers posed by embers that can travel up to two kilometres ahead of a wildfire. “They land on woodpiles, conifer trees, and even mulch, which can all ignite,” he explained.
Hinton’s Vigilant Approach
An hour’s drive east of Jasper, Hinton is similarly fortifying its defences against wildfires. The town is currently constructing a five-kilometre firebreak, motivated by the recent fires that compelled evacuations in Jasper and Edson. Mayor Brian Laberge described the interconnectedness of these communities, stating, “We (Jasper, Hinton, and Edson) are kind of the three sisters—and Hinton is the one in the middle that hasn’t been hit by fire.”
However, the process of creating fireguards has not been without its challenges, particularly when it comes to the removal of cherished trees. “Landowners are going, ‘What the heck, I love my trees,’” Laberge noted, recognising the emotional and environmental complexities involved.
The Bigger Picture: Climate Change and Wildfire Risks
Wildfire expert Jed Kaplan from the University of Calgary emphasised that rising temperatures, extended dry spells, and milder winters—consequences of climate change—are exacerbating the threat of wildfires. “The mountain towns say between Calgary and Vancouver, those are the areas where I do think there are some concrete interventions that can be made,” Kaplan stated. He urged that timely completion of fire management treatments is crucial before the inevitable onset of a significant fire.
Alberta’s Forestry Minister Todd Loewen has already reported that crews have responded to 27 new wildfires this year. He underscored the importance of public awareness, noting that an estimated 60 per cent of wildfires are caused by human activity, with the remainder ignited by lightning strikes. “Even small changes in behaviour can make a big difference,” Loewen remarked, encouraging residents to adopt proactive fire prevention measures.
Why it Matters
The actions taken by Canmore and Hinton reflect a broader understanding of the urgent need for wildfire preparedness in Alberta’s mountainous regions. As climate change continues to alter weather patterns and increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires, communities must adapt and bolster their resilience. By investing in fire prevention initiatives and engaging residents, these towns are not just protecting their homes and livelihoods; they are setting a precedent for environmental stewardship in the face of growing ecological threats.
