Thanks to some cool temperatures and a mix of snow and rain, Alberta wildfire-fighting crews have made significant progress in the early parts of the wildfire season. 

According to Thursday morning’s provincial wildfire update, there are 40 active fires in the forest protection area; three of them are being held, and the rest are considered under control. 

That said, Christie Tucker from Alberta Wildfire says this is the time of year when fires can start and spread rapidly. 

“With temperatures rising rapidly over the next couple of days, we’re about to see a spike in wildfire danger in those areas of the province that haven’t had as much rain,” Tucker said. “We have fire restrictions in the north, and a fire ban is now in place in the Grande Prairie Forest Area.”

More than 300 wildfires have been extinguished so far this wildfire season, but a concerning stat remains. Close to 200 wildfires this year are considered human-caused. 

Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen says the message is simple: don’t be that person. 

“Don’t be that person to throw a cigarette butt out the window, don’t be that person to leave a campfire unattended, make sure when you leave your campfires, you soak, stir, and soak again,” Loewen said. “We want to make sure that anyone with a burning barrel that’s been burning brush throughout the season, make they’re careful with that.”

According to an update from Alberta Wildfire issued Thursday afternoon, the wildfire in the Fort McMurray Forest Area is considered very high. With warm, dry, and windy weather expected for the weekend, a fire restriction remains in effect.