Alberta’s government says it’s ready to tackle this year’s wildfire season.
It says it has hired more than 550 seasonal firefighters.
This year’s wildfire contingent is also to include helicopters with night-vision capability and ones that can hoist firefighters in and out of rough terrain.
The province has also purchased five new water bombers but they aren’t set to hit the field until 2031.
Municipalities facing wildfires are to receive $125,000 to support their response this year and the province says it encourages communities to ask for help sooner.
Todd Loewen, minister of forestry and parks, says the government wants to build a wildfire-resilient Alberta.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2026.