What Past Wildfires Teach Us
A look back at the lessons shaping a safer, more resilient future for producers.
FireSmart Field Notes
Applying Decades of Fire Lessons to the Modern Farm
Understanding Alberta's fire history is the first step in protecting your livestock and livelihood.
Our region has seen it all: from the devastating 2016 events that gripped our northern neighbours to the unprecedented 2023 wildfire season that brought the threat directly to our doorsteps.
Looking back at these events allows us to move forward with better preparation. By analyzing historical trends and local experiences, we can implement FireSmart practices that protect our livestock, crops, and legacies.
May 2023
Wildfires Across Our County
The spring of 2023 served as a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can shift. In early May, Lac Ste. Anne County was forced to declare a State of Local Emergency as wildfires raged across central Alberta. Thousands were evacuated, including residents in our own backyard who had never before had to flee.
The Key Lesson: Preparedness cannot wait until the smoke appears.
It could be argued that those who had clear evacuation plans for their livestock and mapped out their values at risk (barns, grain bins, fuel tanks) were able to act calmly and precisely. For many, the 2023 season underscored the importance of the Farm/Ranch Wildfire Plan—a living document that ensures every family member and farmhand knows their role when every second counts.
Understanding Our Changing Landscape
History shows us that our risks are evolving
Over the last several decades, land use in Lac Ste. Anne has shifted significantly, from predominantly cropland to pastureland. This change affects how fire moves across our county. While a green crop can sometimes act as a natural firebreak, cured pastures and grasslands provide "fine fuels" that ignite easily and spread fire rapidly under windy conditions.
Historical data from Alberta Wildfire confirms that nearly 50 wildfires annually are caused by agricultural activity. Many of these events stem from:
- Equipment Failure: Lessons from past harvests show that buildup of crop residue around engines and exhaust systems is a leading cause of accidental ignitions.
- Suspicious Activity: Local history, such as the 2016 CN trestle bridge fire near Mayerthorpe, reminds us that human-caused fires—intentional or accidental—remain a constant threat.
Practical FireSmart Actions
The 1.5-Metre Non-Combustible Zone
History teaches us that most homes and barns are lost not to the main fire front, but to blowing embers. Maintaining a 1.5-metre perimeter of gravel, dirt, or concrete around your primary structures can prevent an ember from starting a structure fire.
Equipment Vigilance
Make "cleaning the combine" a safety ritual rather than just a maintenance task. Compressed air or leaf blowers should be used daily during hot, dry spells to remove dust and chaff from heat-prone areas.
Manage Your Buffer Zones
Looking at past fire behaviour, wide gravel drives or mowed green strips (buffer zones) have repeatedly saved outbuildings by "starving" the fire of fuel as it approaches.
Rooted in Resilience
By learning from the past, we help ensure that the future of agriculture in Lac Ste. Anne County remains strong, resilient, and FireSmart.
Here to Help
A Community-Led Future
Lac Ste. Anne County is committed to protecting the people and property that drive our local economy.
Through the County's Farm FireSmart program, producers can book free site hazard assessments. We’ll send an expert to walk your land, using local fire history to pinpoint vulnerabilities and help you build a more resilient operation.
Take action today