With hot, dry weather expected over the May long weekend, officials are taking precautionary measures to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Wildfire smoke from Alberta, and neighbouring British Columbia, can be seen enveloping much of the Canadian Prairies on Friday, May 19, 2023.On Thursday, the province announced the closures of several provincial parks and recreation areas where the fire danger is the highest.
There are 93 active wildfires in the province Friday, 25 of which are out of control. So far this year, there have been 493 wildfires burning nearly 830,000 hectares. Twelve “priority offenders” have been taken into custody or removed from communities, there have been 28 reports of break and enters or trespassing, and 12 charges have been laid as of Wednesday.
“Specialized crime reduction units from central, eastern, and western Alberta districts are tasked with the tracking, monitoring, and apprehension of prolific offenders and other individuals who might, unfortunately, see the wildfires as an opportunity to create more problems for people,” said Supt. Blake Ward, acting district commander of the western Alberta district in the release.
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