Question Period Note: Wildfires in Alberta

To inform on the current wildfire situation in Alberta.

• The Government of Canada is committed to working with provinces, territories and whole-of-society partners to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire events.
• We maintain continuous communication with our federal, provincial and territorial partners, including Indigenous Communities, and impacts on communities are monitored on a 24/7 basis.
• Public Safety Canada’s Government Operations Centre, on behalf of the Government of Canada, is the lead for federal response coordination for emergency events affecting the national interest and works in close collaboration with federal organizations, non-governmental organizations and provincial emergency management partners.
• The Government Operations Centre mobilized its event response team in April and team continues to monitor and report on wildland fire events.
• On July 24, 2024, the Government of Canada received a request for federal assistance from the Province of Alberta on in response to the tragic events in Jasper. It was approved the same day.
• The Government of Canada received and approved two additional requests for federal assistance from Alberta over the course of the 2024 wildfire season, all in support of the community of Jasper. Federal support has included wildland fire fighting resources, humanitarian and logistical supports, and assistance from the Canadian Armed forces.

Responsive lines (if prompted)
• Residents are reminded to exercise caution and should continue to follow instructions provided by law enforcement and first responders.
• Emergencies are managed first at the local level. If municipal and local governments need assistance at the local level, they request it from the province or territory. If the emergency overwhelms provincial/territorial capacity, the province or territory may seek assistance from the federal government.
• Should a province or territory make an official request for federal assistance, there is a well-established process in place for managing these requests through the Government Operations Centre and includes interdepartmental consultation and coordination.
• We are grateful for the tireless work of emergency responders on the front lines and behind the scenes. They are making a difference, and I—and all Canadians—are immensely grateful.

Public Safety Canada’s Government Operations Centre (GOC) is mandated, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to lead and support response coordination of events affecting the national interest. It is an interdepartmental response-focused asset of the Government of Canada working in support of deputy heads, departments and agencies at the national (strategic) whole-of-government level. It brings all partners into a common environment to harmonize collective actions and abilities into efficient analysis and action.

Each year, in consultation with partners, the GOC completes a comprehensive risk assessment and planning process in advance of flooding and the wildland urban interface seasons. The intent is to increase federal preparedness to support provinces and territories for potential spring flooding and urban interface wildfires. The final outcomes include a national risk assessment and the Government of Canada Contingency Plan for each of these cyclical events. The objective of these contingency plans is to outline a coordinated structure for an integrated federal response to flooding or wildfire events, in support of the provinces and territories (PT), for regions of concern. The contingency plan also provides strategic guidance and orientation for planning and response personnel at the national level.

During the flooding and wildfire seasons, our government maintains continuous communication with our federal and provincial partners, including Indigenous Communities, while monitoring impacts on communities on a 24/7 basis.

Climate change is making natural disasters more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive. In the past few years, the Minister of Public Safety, on behalf of the federal government, has accepted increasing numbers of Requests for Assistance (RFAs) for relief efforts from devastating events including the recent impacts from Hurricane Fiona, Atmospheric River events, and 2023 wildfires.

Current Situation (As of September 10, 2024, at 09:00hrs EST)

Alberta
At this time, wildfire situation in Alberta is stable and response is being effectively managed at the provincial level. The Agency Preparedness Level for Alberta is at level 3: the demand for mobilization of firefighters and equipment from other jurisdictions is moderate. There are 70 active fires and zero out of control.
On July 22, 2024, wildfires in Jasper National Park threatened the municipality of Jasper, AB, and resulted in approximately 25,000 community members being evacuated. On July 24, The Government of Canada received and approved a RFA for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) supports including type 3 firefighters as well as air assets to support the evacuation, and to move firefighting equipment and personnel.

A second RFA was received and approved on August 8 which extended the existing requirement for type 3 firefighters until August 15, and to secure Team Rubicon to begin post-wildfire mitigation, undertake initial site surveys, complete damage assessments, and debris removal.

A third RFA was received on August 21, 2024, which saw an extension of Team Rubicon’s support to Jasper and an expansion of its activities. An extension of this support was received and approved on August 30, and expires on September 12. Indications are that their support for Jasper will continue beyond this date, but will be managed at the provincial level moving forward.

Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) is at a National Preparedness Level of 3: Demand and mobilization of interagency resources through CIFFC is moderate to high and the potential for emerging significant wildland fires is normal for time of year.

Requests for Federal Assistance

When a PT makes an official RFA, there is a well-established process in place for managing RFAs, through the GOC, that includes interdepartmental consultation and coordination of all departments as required. The GOC coordinates formal RFAs from the federal government and PTs and liaises with key organizations such as the CAF and non-governmental organizations like the Canadian Red Cross through the Humanitarian Work force program.

When the emergency involves a First Nation (FN) community, FN leadership, depending on relevant emergency management agreements, will work in collaboration with their PTs and/or Indigenous Services Canada or regional officials, to assess the emergency and propose a response. If a resolution is not possible at the regional level, a request for assistance may be sought.

Public Safety Canada has received three Requests for Federal Assistance at this point in time:

RFA 1.0 (00302-24-RFA159)
• Received and Approved on July 24, 2024. The initial period of support is for two weeks with the possibility of a one week extension pending review from PS and The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Support was provided from July 25 to August 15, 2024.
• The CAF deployed elements to:
o Act as Type III firefighters with associated integral support;
o Employed suitable air asset(s), CC-130 Hercules aircraft, as strategic airlift on reduced notice to move residents impacted by wildfires; and
o Employed of suitable air asset(s), CH-146 Griffon, to move firefighters and equipment.

RFA 2.0 (00302-24-RFA161)
• Received and approved August 8, 2024. The initial period of support was for 14 days. Supports were provided from August 8 to 22, 2024.
• The CAF continued to provide wildland firefighters until 15 Aug.
o Team Rubicon was approved to provide support for post-wildfire mitigation; site surveys; damage assessments; property examinations; debris removal until August 22.

RFA 3.0 (00302-24-RFA163)
• Received and approved August 21, 2024. Initial support period was for two weeks with one week extension. Support was provided from August 22 until September 5, 2024.
• Team Rubicon supported recovery efforts in Jasper National Park and surrounding the Municipality of Jasper, Alberta. They provided site surveys, rapid damage assessments, and needs assessments of the fire-impacted sites, or other related transition supports, such as sifting operations.

RFA 3.0 EXT-01 (00302-24-RFA163 EXT-01)
• This is an extension to the original period outlined in RFA 3.0. It was received and approved on 30 August 2024. Support is for one week, September 5 to 12, 2024.
• Team Rubicon continued to support recovery operations in Jasper National Park and surrounding the municipality of Jasper, AB. They continued to provide site surveys, rapid damage assessments of the fire-impacted sites, or other related transition supports such as sifting operations.

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