With the 2025 wildfire season already underway, Alberta’s government is taking steps to improve wildfire prevention, mitigation and readiness by investing in improvements to the province’s fire weather network.
The fire weather network plays a significant role in predicting fire conditions and detecting fires earlier, which is why officials say they will be investing an additional $900,000 over the next three years to add new stations in key locations, bringing the total investment to $1.9 million over the next three years.
Officials say these improvements should help ensure Alberta Wildfire Teams are equipped with the tools and information they need to respond to wildfires quickly and efficiently
Alberta Minister of Forestry and Parks, Todd Loewen, says these improvements should also benefit communities as well as Wildfire Teams.
“Our government is continuing to make strategic investments to enhance our wildfire-fighting capabilities,” says Loewen. “By better predicting how fire risks evolve throughout the season, we’re not only helping Alberta Wildfire teams respond more effectively – we’re also helping communities reduce their exposure to wildfires. This technology is vital to keeping our firefighters safe, and to helping protect lives and livelihoods across the province.”
Alberta’s fire weather network includes 150 strategically placed weather stations that collect real-time data on temperature, humidity, wind conditions and moisture levels that helps Alberta Wildfire stay on top of potential threats. Officials with Alberta Wildfire say they will determine where these new stations go based on what areas currently lack weather monitoring coverage.
Mayor Nancy Dodds says the community in Drayton Valley appreciates the significance of these investments.
“This investment in Alberta’s fire weather network, and the inclusion of our region as a strategic location, will provide Alberta Wildfire teams with timely, accurate data to anticipate and respond to risks more effectively,” says Mayord Dodds. “ For a community that understands the realities of wildfire, this kind of infrastructure is more than welcome – it’s essential. We’re grateful for this support and the continued efforts to protect our region and strengthen our resilience.”
The provincial budget for 2025 has also set aside $15 million for the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta Community Fireguard Program and $10.8 million for FireSmart programming.
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