In 2023, Canada faced its most destructive wildfire season ever recorded
with over 15 million hectares burned—far exceeding the annual average of 2.5 million hectares. Throughout Western Canada, tens of thousands of individuals were forced to evacuate and hundreds of homes and structures lost or damaged. Even now, within Alberta alone, over 60 fires from 2023 have persisted through the winter season into the new year.
The Government of Alberta has declared the wildfire season started on February 20, as opposed to the typical March 1 start date in light of the recent warm and dry weather. Furthermore, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has projected higher-than-normal temperatures across the country, coupled with below-normal snowfall levels through spring, setting the stage for potentially drier conditions in the summer months. Experts and researchers caution that these weather conditions closely resemble those of last year.
In light of these forecasts, is your organization ready for the 2024 wildfire season?
At Sandhurst, our team of experts is available to support you every step of the way. We offer training programs to equip your staff with the knowledge and skills they need to respond to emergencies, we can ensure your emergency response plans are up to date, and conduct exercises to test your existing procedures.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for support and assistance in preparing for the upcoming wildfire season. We’re here to help.
