Fort McMurray Forest Area - November 02, 2026

End of wildfire season

Wildfire season officially ended on October 31, which means permits are no longer required for burning. Please remember that a wildfire can start at any time of year.

If you are planning to do some winter burning, make sure you do it safely:

• Listen to the weather forecast for snow conditions and wind predictions before you set your fire
• Actively manage burn projects to reduce total burning time and smoke impacts
• Ensure good snow cover in the burn area (more than 15 cm)
• Plan to return to check winter burn projects in early spring to ensure no heat remains

Although much of Alberta experienced reduced wildfire risk in 2026, crews remained active and some areas saw higher wildfire activity. Thanks to their hard work and preparation, supported by improved technology and response tools, Alberta successfully managed most wildfires before they grew. Overall, the province recorded about two-thirds of the five-year average number of wildfires, while the area burned was just 2% of the five-year average.

2027 wildland firefighter and seasonal recruitment

Recruitment is underway for the 2027 wildfire season, with applications now open for wildland firefighter positions. Opportunities are available for unit crew and helitack crew members and leaders.

Explore a career with Alberta Wildfire by visiting the Alberta Wildfire recruitment page to learn more about available positions and application requirements. Additional seasonal support opportunities, including dispatch, logistics and data entry, are expected to open for applications in early December.

Wildfire situation 

There are currently no wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area.

Since January 1, there have been 56 wildfires in the forest area. To view active wildfires, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard or download the Alberta Wildfire Status app.

Contact info

Carley Johnson
780-799-9253
[email protected]