Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks, Todd Loewen, has sent a letter to Clearwater County urging it to enhance wildfire mitigation efforts through more comprehensive fireguard protection.

The letter highlights the importance of large-scale mitigation efforts in response to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires across the province.

Loewen, emphasizing the lessons learned from last year’s devastating wildfire season, urged Clearwater County to adopt bolder actions in protecting its communities from catastrophic fire events like the one that recently ravaged Jasper. It says the 2023 wildfire season was also severe, seeing more than 2.2 million hectares burned, with nearly 50 communities impacted.

“While I am pleased that some communities have applied for fireguard funding, I have concerns that the proposals are not broad enough to reduce the negative impacts of a Jasper-like wildfire event,” Loewen wrote in his letter.

The minister’s concerns centre on the adequacy of existing fireguard proposals, which he believes must be significantly expanded. He points to the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta’s (FRIAA) Fireguard Program as a key tool in large-scale mitigation. The program is designed to help reduce the spread of wildfires by bringing tree-top fires to the ground, where they can be more effectively controlled.

Loewen outlined a set of guidelines for FRIAA funding approval, urging Clearwater County to consider larger fireguards—several hundred metres wide—unless smaller fireguards could be demonstrated to complement existing mitigation strategies. Additionally, the minister stressed the need for a long-term plan to maintain fireguards free from hazardous fuels, such as flammable woody debris.

As part of his request for funding contingency, Loewen also encouraged the county to explore creative methods for lowering treatment and maintenance costs, such as using marketable timber revenues or leveraging bioenergy facilities like wood pellet plants.

Clearwater County has already taken steps to reduce wildfire risk, including the upcoming spring 2025 selective mulching program led by Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services (CRFRS) in partnership with Alberta Wildfire. This initiative aims to clear deadfall and brush in key areas, creating effective firebreaks to limit the spread of fires.

“One of the key parts of this program is the selective mulching process,” Liadis explained. “More or less, clearing a lot of deadfall and dead brush, [and] creating a better fire guard in some areas to be able to reduce that risk.”

The Nordegg FireSmart plan, which forms part of the county’s larger wildfire mitigation strategy, uses a combination of science-based mapping and risk assessments to prioritize areas for fireguard construction. The plan takes into account factors such as fuel types, previous wildfire history, weather patterns, and overall risk.

Christine Heggart, director of planning and emergency services for Clearwater County, explained that fireguards are not necessarily circular barriers around communities but are instead strategically placed based on data-driven assessments.

In 2024, Clearwater County secured a $30,000 provincial grant to begin Phase 1 of the Community Fireguard Program (CFP) in the Nordegg area. This phase focuses on planning, mapping, and consultation.

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