Alberta wildfire situation remains ‘volatile’ as thick smoke brings air-quality concerns

The Alberta wildfire situation remains volatile, officials say, but cooler temperatures, humidity and some rain in the forecast could give fire crews some respite in the days ahead.

Ninety-one active wildfires burned across the province as of Saturday afternoon’s update – including 25 out of control – with 17 evacuation orders still in effect and more than 10,500 Albertans unable to return home.

Wildfire officials say 842,000 hectares have burned in the province so far this year – more than 10 times the size of the metro Calgary area. Officials say 459 hectares burned by the same time last year.

An estimated 275 structures, including homes and businesses, have been destroyed by the wildfires.

A front is moving in and bringing some rain, Alberta Wildfire says, which is expected to make a “big difference” in the battle to put out the blazes. Those cooler temperatures and general humidity are expected to last “a few days.”

“A map that at the moment heading into the long weekend is pink and red, which is not what you want to see, it indicates extreme fire danger, in the next few days it’s looking a lot more blue and green, which is certainly something that’s going to assist firefighters.”

RELATED: Smoke and heat expected for Edmonton over long weekend

Some scattered showers fell Saturday on the southwest Boreal and along the northern part of the Rockies.

“What we’d like to see is a long steady rain that will soak in the forest and into the ground,” said Christie Tucker, the information unit manager with Alberta Wildfire.

Officials warn with rain comes a risk of lightning, which has the potential to start more fires.

Tucker says there were lightning strikes in the Edson and Grande Prairie areas Saturday.

“We are monitoring them closely,” she said.

Smoke is expected to persist in much of the province, leading to poor air quality. It led to the cancellation of a handful of May long weekend events in Edmonton on Saturday.

Health Canada’s air quality index was at its highest (10+) for both Edmonton and Calgary.

Smoke is also giving the province a challenge in assessing wildfires from the air.

“But it does create cooler conditions that weaken fire behaviour,” Tucker noted, adding smoke can also create a cloud cover that reduces the amount of wind.

Officials have asked Albertans to consider postponing their long weekend plans due to the wildfires.