Todd Loewen

Two additional air tankers and two-night vision-equipped helicopters are being added to the province’s list of equipment to be prepared for wildfire season 2024. These pieces of equipment are contracted out. Alberta now has three-night vision helicopters on hand. As wildfire behaviour is usually subdued at nighttime with lower temperatures and higher humidity, Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen says the two additional helicopters will help with overnight operations. An additional $14 million will be going to the Community Fireguard Program administered by the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta. The program is in place for communities so they can clear areas to make fire breaks by cutting off fuel sources that could potentially drive towards infrastructure, properties, or other values at risk. There is now $19 million in place for the Community Fireguard Program.