Lightning ignites new wildfires in northern Alberta; dry, windy conditions on the way

Seven new wildfires started in the past day in Alberta, largely due to lightning activity in the northern parts of the province.

There were 57 active wildfires in Alberta as of Sunday afternoon’s update, with 17 considered out of control.

Windy conditions are expected in northern Alberta Monday, with fire crews working to reinforce containment lines depending on those winds.

RELATED: Alberta wildfires being contained despite ‘elevated fire activity’ this weekend

“Elevated fire activity with shifting winds and warming temperatures,” said Bre Hutchinson, the executive director of Alberta Emergency Management Agency.

“With dry conditions persisting, there’s still a chance that fire activity increases as the week progresses.”

Higher humidity in some parts is expected to help firefighters on the ground.

Another evacuation order was cancelled in the past 24 hours – for the MD of Greenview. Four evacuation orders remain active, with 5,257 Albertans still unable to return home.

Hutchinson called the situation “encouraging” but urged Albertans to remain vigilant.

Alberta Wildfire says many of the large-scale wildfires could take months to get under control.

Roughly 1.06 million hectares have burned in Alberta so far this wildfire season – nearly twice the area of Prince Edward Island.