The northeast of the city suffers a series of fires, according to the Edmonton Fire Rescue Services

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The northeast of the city has seen an increase in fires in the last 12 months, says Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

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Between May 2021 and October 2021, there have been 281 fire-related events compared to 148 fire-related events between November 2020 and April 2021, the service said in a press release Tuesday.

The largest increase is being seen in empty structures and external fires, and suspicious and deliberately started fires are becoming the fastest growing cause in the area as a whole.

The EFRS is working to identify the root causes of the increased number of fires, including improving data collection, sharing and reporting systems.

All details of fire incidents, regardless of severity or cause, are now recorded, compiled and analyzed, the press release states. This ensures that the data can accurately describe the problem and be a basis for prevention initiatives.

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All fires, regardless of cause, crime or severity, are now reported directly to the Edmonton Police Service Operational Incident Command Center in real time, in order to create more efficient, reactive and proactive policing community centered.

“We recognize that there has been an increase in the frequency of fires in the Northeast and I want to assure Edmontonians that we are working closely with other emergency services agencies and city agencies to mitigate the risk of fires in all areas of the city. the city, with a strong emphasis on Northeast vacant property and the arson problem, ”Fire Chief Joe Zatylny said in the news release.

“Citizen safety and community risk reduction is and continues to be our primary focus.”

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Together with law enforcement, Edmonton Fire is working with Alberta Health Services and the City of Edmonton’s Neighborhood and Community Standards branch to address this issue with a more holistic approach.

“We just launched this joint effort with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, so we can’t talk about specific actions, but our collective goal is to find ways to address this growing problem,” said Keith Scott, Community Standards director of complaints and investigations. and the Neighborhoods branch in the release.

EFRS said there has also been an increase in the frequency of building fires across the city.

Edmonont residents are asked to help prevent fires by making sure the property is clean and free of trash, brush piles, flammable liquids, gasoline containers, used furniture, old vehicles, and other materials that could be used to start fires.

Any suspicious activity should be reported to the police.

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