Citizen Action on Alberta Wildfires : A Public Discussion

Location : Ritchie Community Hall – 77 Ave and 98 Street Edmonton
Time : March 21, 2024 – 7 – 8:30 PM
Facilitator : Richard Merry,
Sponsors: Ritchie Menshed and Council of Canadians Edmonton Chapter

2023 ALBERTA WILDFIRES  – The 2023 Alberta wildfire scenario has been described as “unprecedented”, with over 2.2 million hectares of forest burned, extensive damage to human and non-human life and property, along with record negative air quality readings.  Unfortunately, experts claim that this scenario may be similar or worse in 2024.
 
We hold our breaths nervously about another predicted long and intense Alberta wildfire season in 2024. The “powers-that-be” maintain that they are prepared. However, there is a lot of doubt about that.
 
* Please attend this free public event to hear the basics of wildfire in Alberta – damage, causes and responses. Express your own views on the question of “What should we be doing to reduce the extent and damage of Alberta wildfires?” The purposes of this event are to stimulate public conversation and to promote citizen oversight and input on the management of Alberta wildfires in 2024 and beyond.
 

 
WILDFIRE FACTORS – Many factors are behind accelerating AB wildfire seasons – climate change, arson, campfires, ATV’s, El Nino, forest harvest practices, and others.

The Government of Alberta (GOA) claimed they did all possible to manage wildfires in 2023. However, many experienced and expert AB wildfire personnel, municipal and labor officials have denied that claim vociferously since May 2023, arguing that budget cuts left the GOA unprepared for 2023. They cited the following inadequacies in GOA firefighting mechanisms :

  • Fire intelligence and fire forecasting 
  • Surveillance and monitoring e.g. Fire towers and aerial patrols
  • Early response mechanisms e.g. “RapAttack” program,
  • Equipment e.g. Aerial water tankers
  • Personnel – Training; experienced ground crews; overly large management areas
  • Other – Leadership, communication, coordination

 
GOA 2024 WILDFIRE PROMISES
* In January and February 2024, Alberta Forestry and Parks (AFP) made several media announcements on “improved” wildfire intelligence, prevention and suppression. Promises were made about increased staffing and contract length, firefighting technologies, and better cooperation with municipalities. AFP continues to use media to promote these “promises” in advance of the Feb 29 2024 GOA Budget.
 

 
COUNTER CLAIMS ON GOA 2024 PROMISES
* A defined lack of confidence in UCP 2024 wildfire promises persists among experienced Alberta wildfire personnel, municipalities and others. Serious concern remains especially about experience of personnel, effective training and adequate equipment for municipalities to deal with fires in their jurisdictions.
 
Municipal responsibility lies in White Zones – outside GOA Forest Protection (Green) Zones. Municipalities can ask for GOA resources as needed, but White zones are typically more extensive, remote, and difficult to access. Further, the UCP is concealing exact data, at least until the Alberta Budget TBA on February 29. It is likely that this situation is somewhat responsible for the larger fires typically found in these more remote White Zones.

 
WILDFIRE CONCERNS OF ALBERTA CITIZENS
As the 2024 wildfire season approaches, a lack of confidence in GOA wildfire management is justifiable in the Alberta public, especially for those who now live with wildfire damaged property, natural surroundings or health in 2023. This concern no doubt also exists for citizens of large urban centres who have experienced frequent and high levels of wildfire smoke. Medical science consistently points out that this smoke is not benign, and contains many substances toxic to humans. 
 

 
CITIZEN ACTION ON WILDFIRES
Alberta citizens have a full right to demand effective management of wildfire from those elected to do so. It could also be argued that such demands are also our ethical responsibility for the most vulnerable – children, disabled, and economically disadvantaged. At the very least, it seems incumbent on us as citizens to speak out for our own personal health. The GOA role for this seems to be simply to advise us on filtration devices, staying inside, fireproofing our properties and preparing for evacuation. But does this approach compensate for ineffective management of wildfires? Probably not.
 
BIOGRAPHY – Richard Merry
 
For over 35 years, Richard has worked to reverse the destruction of our natural systems by consumerism, industrial activity and government policy. Since May 2023, he has closely followed Alberta wildfire activity and made efforts to mobilize ordinary citizens to speak out on wildfire impacts and the responsibility of government and industry in these impacts. He is conducting this Ritchie event, not as an expert in wildfire, but as one who believes in the power of the public and community to drive real progress in our society.

Wildfire Webinar Recording

On October 19, 2023, the Edmonton Chapter of the Council of Canadians held a webinar about the wildfire problem in Alberta. We invited representatives of the provincial political parties to present what their party thought should be done to respond more effectively to wildfires in the future.

Alberta Wildfires

Cut the Damage not the Budget

Scientists warn that unprecedented wildfire activity seen in Alberta in 2023 could continue, while experienced Alberta wildfire professionals claim that Government of Alberta budget cuts will be a significant factor. It’s time for Albertans to examine the question of “What can and should we be doing to minimize wildfire activity in Alberta?”

A People’s Tailings Response Initiative:

Dear Friends and Supporters,
  This Sunday afternoon, Mar. 14/23 at 2 p.m. on zoom is the second in a 3-part series of Study and Action Circles aimed at making  the Ft. McMurray Tailings “Ponds” an issue in the upcoming Alberta provincial election.   See the invitation below, 
including registration info/links.

See also the “backgrounder” hyperlink near the end of the invitation below for a few notes on how you can prepare for the Study and Action Circle.   

Hope to see you on Sunday afternoon,
Rod Olstad (he/him)
Tailings Study and Action Circles Coordinator
Edmonton Chapter, Council of Canadians

Dear Friends and Supporters,
The Edmonton chapter of the Council of Canadians is excited to invite you to our three-part Study and Action Circle series where we will plan a people’s response to the challenge of cleaning up the toxic Athabasca tar sands tailing ponds and make this a provincial election issue. The study and action series will take place via Zoom and is a follow-up to the symposia series we held with Keepers of the Water in fall 2022.

These events will be held Sunday afternoons from 2-5 p.m. MST and will be an opportunity to learn more about the tailings ponds and to build community power in response to this massive public and environmental health hazard.

Dates and times:

February 26th 2-5 p.m.: This Study and Action Circle will take place via Zoom and focus on the past and present of tailings and the scientific and technical issues related to them.

REGISTER: February 26

March 12th 2-5 p.m.: This Study and Action Circle will take place via Zoom and focus on Indigenous Rights and Knowledge as they relate to the tailings issue.

REGISTER: March 12

April 2nd 2-5 p.m.: This Study and Action Circle will take place in-person (location TBD) and via Zoom and will focus on solutions to tailings and how those solutions can be part of a just transition.

REGISTER: April 2