Wind fans threat of wildfires in drier-than-normal conditions

It’s January, but Albertans are being asked to treat it like June.

Provincial officials are keeping a close eye on the wildfire situation around Alberta, as dry conditions and high winds combine for a particularly flammable start to the new year.

“Normally, we see a lot more snow and a lot less wind,” said wildfire information officer Geoffrey Driscoll on Monday. “I’m really not used to talking about wildfires in January.”

The province has had Christmas wildfires in the past, but Driscoll said the situation is being exacerbated by large areas of exposed, dry grass and by windy conditions throughout the province.

“If a fire does start, the fire can move very quickly.”

That was demonstrated in southern Alberta last week, when two grass fires quickly grew to 3,000 hectares, fanned by high winds.

Driscoll said it’s important people recognize the danger and be particularly careful with campfires and other fires.

Wildfires are only started by lightning and humans, and there is no lightning in the winter, Driscoll noted.

“Albertans have to be just as careful now as they would be in the middle of the summer.”

He said winter fires tend to burn fast and hard, but don’t go into the ground like summer fires.