The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains low due to cooler temperatures and recent precipitation. Continue to use caution with any activity that could produce spark or heat as vegetation is dead and dry and can catch easily. Under windy conditions, it could burn quickly.
Wildfire situation
Since January 1, there have been 64 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 27 hectares (ha). For up-to-date information on wildfire locations, status, size and statistics, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
In the Edson Forest Area, human-caused wildfires (62) accounted for 97% of the 64 wildfires, burning a total of 27.66 ha. Lightning (2) caused the remaining 3%, burning 0.04 ha.
Across the province, there have been 789 wildfires so far in 2026, burning 18,000 hectares. The number of wildfires is 35% lower than the five-year average of 1,219 wildfires and the area burned is 98% less than the five-year average of 761,688 hectares. For a brief period (less than 24 hours) in mid-August, Alberta’s wildfire map showed no active wildfires, the first time in 40 years that there were no active wildfires recorded wildfires at that time of year.
Human activities remain the leading cause of wildfires in the province. 62% of wildfires were human-caused and 34% were caused by lightning. 27 wildfires (4%) remain under investigation. These numbers may change as investigations continue.
With fewer wildfire to respond to in Alberta this summer, many firefighters were tasked with wildfire prevention projects or deployed elsewhere to support wildfire response, while sufficient personnel remained pre-positioned across Alberta to respond to new wildfires. Alberta deployed more than 1,000 firefighters and support staff to help outside the province. This included British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, and Quebec. Of this total, 77 were sent internationally to both the United States & Australia early in the year.
End of wildfire season
Wildfire season officially ends on October 31 and fire permits will no longer be required for burning in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta until March 1. Wildfires can start any time of year when conditions are dry so keep safe burning practices in mind year round.
We want to thank the public and industry that helped report wildfires and to those that helped keep our communities safe by preventing wildfires. If you see smoke or flame and suspect a wildfire, report it by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
Safe winter burning
Fire permits are no longer required, but following safe winter burning practices is always important. It's suggested that residents and industry wait until there is at least 15 cm of snow on the ground before taking on a burning project in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Avoid burning when an inversion is forecasted. Inversions happen when cold air is trapped below a layer of warm air. It causes smoke to stay close to the ground, impacting visibility and possibly causing smoke-related health concerns. You can also watch how to prevent spring wildfires.
To assist the Edson Forest Area, please let us know if you plan any large scale winter burning. Reporting large scale burning can help prevent dispatching our firefighters to non-emergency fires. Contact the radio room line directly (780) 723-8507 (leave a message if closed) with the following:
- Name of landowner burning or company and representative name
- Phone number in case of emergency
- Legal land description or latitude/longitude
FireSmart vegetation maintenance open house in Robb
Join Alberta Forestry on November 13 from 4 - 7 pm at the Robb Multiplex to learn more about the FireSmart vegetation maintenance anticipated to begin in December 2026. Alberta Forestry is planning on conducting vegetation maintenance on existing FireSmart fuel breaks west and northwest of Robb. This project will help reduce the risk of wildfire spreading from the community. The area is 12 ha in size, was established in 2006 and will be mostly mulched to remove the re-growth. The work is expected to be completed by April 2027.
Alberta Wildfire recruitment
A career with Alberta Wildfire is about more than fighting wildfires. Each season, we hire people with a wide range of skills, experience and backgrounds to support wildfire operations across the province. You can explore current and upcoming opportunities on the Alberta Wildfire recruitment webpage or visit us at one of the open houses in the province. Meet the people behind our firefighting and support roles, ask questions and get hands-on with equipment used on the fireline. These info sessions are from 4 - 7 pm.
- Robb Multiplex on November 13
- Edson Galloway Museum on November 18
- Hinton Recreation Centre on November 19
- Evansburg Arena on November 20
Cooking and warming fires
Each fall, the forest area sees an increase in wildfires unintentionally caused by recreational fires that have not been fully extinguished. Build fires on bare mineral soil and away from dead, dry vegetation, and always extinguish them completely before leaving the site. Even when temperatures fall below freezing, a fire can continue to smoulder deep in the ground for extended periods and resurface when afternoon temperatures rise and frost or snow melts. Cool weather can be deceiving—if your fire is not fully extinguished, it can still start a wildfire.
Contact info
Caroline Charbonneau
780-740-1341
[email protected]
Published on October 30, 2026 4:09 pm