Human-caused wildfires topped the list as the main reason for the Grande Prairie Forest Area’s unprecedented 2023 wildfire season.
According to Alberta Wildfire, 1,088 wildfires ravaged the Grande Prairie area in 2023, with 61 per cent caused directly by human action. Despite the seemingly high number of human-caused fires, the number is a reduction compared to the five-year average of 67 per cent.
Alberta Wildfire says the big standout for the season was the number of lightning-caused flames, representing 35 per cent of the wildfires in 2023, accounting for 1,750,867 hectares of burned land, nearly 80 per cent of the total burned this season, many of which are still burning in January.
Dry, warm, and windy conditions are credited with keeping the flames active through the winter. Alberta Wildfire is urging anyone who chooses to light fires to exercise extreme caution as holdover fires continue to cause concern for fire officials.
Of the 1,088 wildfires in the region, 381 were caused by lightning, 176 were residential, 125 were intentionally lit, 97 were caused by recreation such as camping and hunting, power lines caused 85, and 45 were related to agriculture.
Firefighters remain active throughout the region during the winter and residents who see smoke, or flames, or detect hotspots are encouraged to report it by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
