The government is short-staffing its wildfire-fighting force even though the fire season is already underway, according to the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE).
“We should already be up to full speed and at full strength, but the government ordered that the wildfire-fighting season budget cut by about 8 to 12 per cent,” says Mike Dempsey, AUPE vice president.
“It’s a massive gamble that defies expert advice and puts lives, homes, communities, industries and jobs in peril.”
Wildfire season began in March and is expected to last longer than past seasons, according to the AUPE. It added that the government delayed the hiring of seasonal firefighters and the force is now 60 workers short, not counting positions that were cut.
According to the press secretary for the ministry of agriculture and forestry, “we’re ready to tackle the 2022 wildfire season,” and Alberta Wildfire is “well-staffed.”
“Alberta, like other wildfire jurisdictions around the world, hires a variety of seasonal staff to complement year-round positions,” added Mackenzie Blyth. “We are still actively recruiting to hire all necessary seasonal staff, aiming for the same number of firefighters employed in 2021.
“Hiring and training take place throughout the winter and spring months, and turnover can be expected for any seasonal position.”
“Training is also running late, meaning that even if the government manages to fill those vacancies, it could be the end of May before everyone is trained and ready to be deployed,” Dempsey added. “Our firefighters fear that the lack of experienced boots on the ground will lead to fires getting out of control, threatening lives and communities.”
The legislated wildfire season runs from March 1 to October 31.
An analysis of the 2016 wildfire season found that “historical data indicates that Alberta now experiences the most wildfires in May and more forest area is burned in May than any other month.”
In May 2019, 301 wildfires started, with three becoming “major wildfire incidents,” according to the AUPE. By the end of that month, 883,414 hectares had been burned in the province. The 2016 Fort McMurray fire also began in May.
“Like any other year, in the case of an extraordinary wildfire season, Alberta Wildfire can request additional resources and specialist assistance from partner agencies across Canada and internationally when required,” said Blyth.
“Sixty-seven per cent of wildfires in 2021 were human caused and 95.25% of all wildfires in Alberta were contained by 10 am the day after their assessment.”