As August arrives with forecast temperatures set to climb, the Calgary Fire Department is sounding the alarm on wildfire preparedness—urging Calgarians and Albertans not to wait until danger is at their doorstep.
The numbers tell a sobering story. Alberta has already recorded 661 wildfires this year, scorching more than 18,000 hectares of forest and grassland. While summer 2026 hasn't reached the catastrophic levels of previous years, experts warn the worst may still be ahead.
August Heat: The Perfect Storm for Wildfires
Alberta Wildfire Predictive Services is raising the alarm about volatile conditions expected throughout August. According to the province's seasonal outlook released in June, warmer and drier conditions are forecast to grip Alberta from mid to late summer—exactly the climate that feeds massive, fast-moving wildfires.
"We're entering a critical stretch," says the Calgary Fire Department, which launched a new wildfire resilience and prevention campaign this week. The message is clear: preparation now could save lives and homes later.
Adding to the concern, meteorologists predict El Niño conditions will persist into fall, bringing higher temperatures and lower precipitation. That scenario could extend wildfire season well beyond August, keeping communities at risk for months.
British Columbia Already Burning
What Alberta fears, British Columbia is already living. The B.C. Wildfire Service has recorded nearly 900 wildfires this season, with more than 320,000 hectares burned. Officials in B.C. are describing the current dry heat across the southern portion of the province as creating "unprecedented scenarios."
While B.C.'s 2026 numbers remain far below the catastrophic 2023 season—when nearly 2,300 wildfires burned almost three million hectares—the trajectory is alarming.
What You Can Do Right Now
The Calgary Fire Department urges residents to:
• Create a defensible space around your home by clearing dead trees, branches, and leaves
• Keep gutters and roof clean of debris
• Have an evacuation plan and emergency kit ready
• Monitor official wildfire updates and alerts
• Report suspicious activity or unattended fires immediately
For community resources and emergency preparedness information, residents can visit official city and provincial websites, and engage with local emergency services. Those seeking broader community support can explore WestNet Humanitarian Services, which provides emergency and community aid during crises.
This article is based on reporting from the Calgary Herald.