Alberta wildfires: Smoke provides some relief in province's firefight | FULL

As of Tuesday afternoon, Alberta Wildfire reported 92 wildfires burning across the province, 24 of which were listed as out of control.

So far this year, 472 fires have destroyed 616,000 hectares across the province.

“The wildfire situation continues to be extremely volatile… and poses a significant threat to multiple communities,” said Colin Blair, with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, during Tuesday’s update.

“Hot and dry conditions throughout most of the province are creating the perfect storm for fires to start and grow quickly.”

Alberta Wildfire’s Christie Tucker said changing winds were both good and bad news for different fires, depending on their proximity to communities.

“Many Albertans woke up this morning to smoke in the air, which is a constant reminder of the intensity of the wildfire season,” she said, adding that smoke isn’t necessarily an indication the fire danger is closer. “Smoke can travel long distances.”

In fact, the smoke actually helped the fire fight in some ways, Tucker said. The elements that play a part in wildfire activity are heat, ground fuel and wind, she explained.

“When we have smoke cover that’s covering the sun, that does reduce the heat on the ground a significant amount,” Tucker said. “We can see less wildfire activity.”

She said, overall, Alberta’s wildfires were “less active than anticipated.”

However, there was some growth Monday from a fire northwest of Edmonton, Tucker said.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/9675857/alberta-wildfires-may-2023/

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