According to an update from the provincial government Wednesday morning, there are 63 active wildfires in Alberta’s forested areas, but none of them are considered out of control. 

Seven, including the one near Saprae Creek Estates, are in the ‘being held’ category. The 67-hectare blaze southeast of Fort McMurray has been held since Monday. 

Alberta Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen says an early spring and a lack of snow have made for more wildfires this year. 

“Those conditions alone are very conducive to wildfire,” Loewen said. When we look at last year, we had a dry year, too, so this all combines to create conditions that lend themselves to having more wildfire on the landscape.”

Loewen adds that they suspect almost all of the wildfires in Alberta this year have been caused by humans and urges everyone to do their part to prevent more wildfires from igniting. 

“This includes breaking up fuel sources that could ignite a structure, removing trees in close proximity to your home, and properly maintaining your gutters and roofs to rid the materials that could easily ignite, such as leaves and dry needles.”

When it comes to wildfire evacuations in the province, 12 households in the Peace River area were evacuated. 20 people from the Cold Lake First Nation were also evacuated, but that evacuation order has since been lifted.