The RMA has released a briefing of the 2023 Wildfire Season Survey for member awareness
Following the 2023 wildfire season and in preparation for future wildfire seasons, the RMA released a survey to understand the experiences, challenges, victories, and lessons learned for rural municipalities across the province. This survey was open throughout December 2023 and January 2024 and gathered responses from 39 out of 69 RMA members.
The 2023 Wildfire Season Survey Summary is now available and includes detailed information on some of the key findings of the survey, including:
- 75% of respondents reported effective support from neighbouring municipalities during the 2023 wildfire season.
- 66% of respondents provided resources to other municipalities.
- Although the average estimated incurred cost to municipalities by the 2023 wildfire season varied drastically between municipalities, a total of $78,568,088 was incurred across all municipalities surveyed.
- Communications with various groups and stakeholders was generally rated highly.
- None of the municipalities that requested Disaster Recovery Program funding have received the full amount requested to this point.
For more information, please see the full survey summary.
The RMA will use the information gathered in this survey to determine how we can best directly support members in building wildfire capacity and sharing best practices, as well as to advocate to the Government of Alberta for specific improvements to their mitigation, planning, response, and recovery approaches moving forward.
The RMA is also in the process of creating a wildfire committee based on Resolution 7-23F: Strategy for Management of Wildland Fires Outside Forest Protection Areas. The committee will develop a long-term strategy to address wildfire planning in non-FPA communities. The RMA plans to invite several groups to participate in the committee, including the Government of Alberta, RMA members, ABmunis, and the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. More information will be made available soon.
Kallie Wischoff
Policy Advisor
855.319.2245
kallie@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com