A quick check on the start of the forest fire season.

19,260 fires have been recorded in Canada so far in 2012, burning 161,169 hectares.

British Columbia

Starting on Tuesday, the Kamloops Fire Centre in British Columbia will be restricting the size of open fires to prevent human caused wildfires.  The Kamloops Fire Centre crews have already responded to wildfire incidents covering approximately 300 hectares since April 1st. (read more)

BC’s Northwest Fire Centre is also urging caution for burning this weekend due to the forecast for warmer weather and gusty winds.

550 hectares in BC have been burned so far this year.

Visit British Columbia’s Wildfire Management Branch

Alberta

A year after fire ravaged Slave Lake, northern Alberta is again bone-dry this spring.  Alberta’s fire officials say the trees and grass haven’t greened up yet, humidity is low, and winds are strong and gusty.

In the Lesser Slave Lake region, there are 84 firefighters stationed with 27 support staff, 6 heavy equipment groups, 14 helicopters, and 2 air tanker groups ready to tackle any new wildfire.

39 fires are currently burning in Alberta, including one that is out of control, located about 20 kms from the community of Fox Creek.

366 hectares have been burned in Alberta so far this season.

View Alberta’s Wildfire Situation Reports

To review the current fire bans in Alberta, visit http://AlbertaFireBans.ca

Saskatchewan

45 fires have been reported in Saskatchewan this year burning 423 hectares.

Over the last 24 hours, 2 new fire were reported, and 2 were declared out.

View Saskatchewan’s Current and Past Fire Activity

Manitoba

Showers and warmer temperatures have helped green up conditions in southern Manitoba, reducing the fire danger.  Warm temperatures in the forecast will likely rapidly increase the fire danger, particularly in Eastern Manitoba, into next week.

61 fires have been reported in Manitoba so far, burning 4,221 hectares.

View Manitoba’s Fire Update Report

Ontario

There are currently 2 fires burning in Ontario, one of which is labelled as out of control.

Burning conditions remain high to extreme in Northeastern Ontario.  Northwestern Ontario is expecting a cold front today that will be bringing rain and lower temperatures.

Crews in Ontario are currently completing their mandatory training. All crews will be online by May 14th.

Ontario has recorded 170 fires so far this year, burning 355 hectares.

View Ontario’s Current Fire Situation

Quebec

Quebec has 1 fire currently burning.

166 fires have been recorded in Quebec so far this year, burning 178 hectares.

Newfoundland and Labrador

One fire is currently burning in Newfoundland and Labrador.

24 fires have been recorded so far this year, burning 1,464 hectares.

Newfoundland and Labrador took delivery of a new water bomber in April.  The aircraft is a Bombardier 415.  It is the 4th to be delivered of the 4 new planes the province ordered in 2009.  The new planes are now in service alongside two CL-215 waterbombers and a spotter plane (read more).

New Brunswick

There was a forest fire earlier this week near Salisbury, New Brunswick.  The fire started behind a home and burned a few sheds before escaping into the bush.  A water bomber was used to attack the fire.

So far this year, 223 fires in New Brunswick have burned 319 hectares.

Visit New Brunswick’s Forest Fire Watch

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has recorded 196 fires this year, burning 666 hectares.

Visit Nova Scotia’s Wildfire Management Group

Prince Edward Island

PEI has recorded 5 fires this year, burning 9 hectares.

Visit PEI’s Wild Fire Information website

Yukon Territory

The Yukon has had 2 fires in 2012, burning 1.2 hectares. Both fires were human caused.

View Yukon’s Wildland Fire Management page

Download Yukon’s new Operation Wildfire colouring book!

 

National

View the Current National Wildland Fire Situation Report from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Inc.