Firefighters burn parts of Edmonton river valley park to reduce wildfire risk
Posted May 8, 2026 4:42 pm.
Last Updated May 9, 2026 10:04 am.
Firefighters intentionally set parts of Jan Reimer Park ablaze Friday as part of a controlled burn aimed at reducing wildfire risk in Edmonton’s river valley.
The prescribed burn, led by Edmonton Fire Rescue Services with support from Alberta Wildfire and city parks crews, is part of the City of Edmonton’s wildfire prevention strategy. Officials say prescribed burns help reduce wildfire fuel, restore nutrients to the ecosystem and support biodiversity.
Smoke filled the air as flames moved through dry spring grass near the Terwillegar Park Footbridge while crews closely monitored the fire. The park, nearby trails and the footbridge were temporarily closed during the operation, and drones were prohibited from the area under a temporary airspace restriction issued by Transport Canada.
Assistant deputy chief Neil Robertson said the prescribed burn covered about 18 hectares.
“It’s an 18-hectare burn,” Robertson said. “It’s quite a bit larger than the burns we’ve done in the past, and it gives us an opportunity with some pretty good safety features around here.”
Fire officials say prescribed burns remove dry vegetation such as dead grass and leaves that can fuel uncontrolled fires later in the season.
“In the spring, things are drier,” Robertson said. “We’ve had the snow melt. It hasn’t had time to green up yet. So, with the fuel load, it definitely burns a lot better at this time of year.
“It will help with ecology and the green-up of the grass, doing this burn at this time of year rather than later on.”
“You know the intent of this is to prevent an uncontrolled fire that would be more severe later on,” he said.
Officials say dry conditions across the Edmonton region and much of central and southern Alberta are increasing wildfire concerns heading into the weekend. As of Friday afternoon, nine wildfires were burning in Alberta’s forest protection area.
“We’re starting to see, obviously, with the warmer temperatures, the snow is receding and exposing that dried grass from the fall,” said Derrick Forsythe, Alberta Wildfire Information Officer. “So we’re starting to see you know wildfire dangers tick up in areas across the province, which is not unsuspected or not unusual for us.”
The prescribed burn is the third controlled burn conducted in Edmonton as part of the city’s wildfire prevention efforts. Robertson said the exercises also help train crews to respond if a wildfire breaks out in a city park.
