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Preamble:
WHEREAS wildfires pose a significant threat to rural municipalities in Alberta, endangering lives, property, and natural resources; and
WHEREAS powerlines traverse vast areas of the province, including areas of high fire risk; and
WHEREAS overgrown vegetation along powerlines increases the risk of wildfires due to potential contact with power infrastructure; and
WHEREAS select locations across the province feature a single egress, creating a risk of individuals becoming trapped if a fire were to occur along this single egress; and
WHEREAS proactive measures such as brushing along powerlines have been proven effective in reducing wildfire risk by creating firebreaks and limiting the spread of fires; and
WHEREAS the current level of brushing along powerlines in high-risk areas does not adequately mitigate wildfire risk; and
WHEREAS the rugged terrain and expansive forests found within many rural municipalities increase both the complexity of wildfire management and the urgency of preventative measures; and
WHEREAS the cost of wildfire suppression and recovery places a significant burden on provincial and municipal resources;
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) urge relevant provincial authorities to prioritize and expand brushing initiatives along powerlines on all lands within forested areas to reduce the risk of wildfires;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the RMA advocate to relevant provincial authorities for a comprehensive review of powerline right-of-way widths across the province, considering local conditions, tree length, surrounding vegetation, and fire risk to ensure adequate right-of-way widths are in place for purposes of wildfire mitigation through vegetation management.
Member Background:
Wildfires have long been a concern for rural municipalities in Alberta, posing a significant threat to public safety, infrastructure, agriculture, and the environment. The impact of wildfires extends beyond immediate damages, often resulting in long-term economic and ecological repercussions.
In recent years, the risk of wildfires has been exacerbated by factors such as climate change, prolonged droughts, and the encroachment of vegetation into areas near powerlines. Powerlines act as a common ignition source for wildfires, causing 85 wildfires within Alberta in 2023. When vegetation comes into contact with powerlines, the risk of ignition increases substantially, leading to devastating wildfires that can spread rapidly and unpredictably.
To address this risk, brushing initiatives along powerlines have emerged as a proactive measure to mitigate wildfire danger. Brushing involves the removal or trimming of vegetation near powerlines to create a buffer zone, reducing the likelihood of sparks igniting nearby vegetation. By creating firebreaks and reducing fuel loads, brushing initiatives not only decrease the risk of wildfires but also facilitate more effective firefighting efforts by providing access to affected areas. However, given the increased length and severity of recent fire seasons, many rural municipalities continue to face significant wildfire risk due to a level of brushing along powerlines which is now inadequate, leaving communities vulnerable to the devastating consequences of uncontrolled wildfires.
Specifically, within the M.D. of Lesser Slave River, fires caused by powerlines have endangered residents. Additionally, the threat of this risk is amplified within local roads surrounded by forest which only consist of one entrance/exit, resulting in the possibility of residents becoming trapped if a fire were to block the exit. Because of this, we are looking to proactively reduce the risk of this happening through improved brushing programs among powerlines on applicable lands.
The expansion of brushing initiatives along powerlines is crucial for enhancing wildfire prevention and mitigation strategies in rural municipalities. By proactively managing vegetation near powerlines, Alberta can reduce the frequency and severity of wildfires, thereby safeguarding communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.
It should be recognized that regulation exists regarding tree and vegetation brushing near utilities. It is also worth recognizing that Alberta’s electricity distribution companies have made great steps in vegetation management processes, which should be celebrated. With that being said, the continued occurrence of wildfires because of vegetation’s contact with these utilities indicates that there is still more work to be done on this front.
In summary, this resolution aims to achieve the outcome of mitigating wildfires through an enhanced process of brushing powerlines. By investing in proactive measures to reduce wildfire risk, Alberta can strengthen the safety, resilience, and sustainability of communities across the province.
Relevant Sources:
Alberta Wildfire Season Statistics:
https://open.alberta.ca/publications/alberta-wildfire-season-statistics
Altalink Vegetation Management:
https://www.altalink.ca/safety-and-preparedness/vegetation-management/
Atco Integrated Vegetation Management Plan
https://electric.atco.com/content/dam/web/atco-electric/IVM%20Plan_Final.pdf
Fortis Alberta Wildfire Mitigation:
https://www.fortisalberta.com/about-us/sustainability/our-environment/wildfire-mitigation
RMA Background:
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
Alberta Forestry and Parks
From 2006 to 2024, an average of 75 wildfires per year ignited in the Forest Protection Area were attributed to power lines. Specific causes included vegetation and tree contacts, infrastructure-related faults, and animals interacting with the conductor. The Government of Alberta is aware of these issues and has been working collaboratively with power line operators to proactively identify and reduce wildfire risks.
Power line operators have standing wildfire agreements with the province, which require them to develop wildfire mitigation strategies to reduce ignitions. In 2015, government and power line operators formed a Wildfire Risk Mitigation Task Group to strategically and continuously assess the overall wildfire risk posed by the power line industry. The group developed strategies, programs, and actions to reduce wildfire risk to communities and industry. This work informed the development of wildfire risk plans by industry, which identified areas of risk and prioritized mitigation efforts accordingly.
Power line operators have a number of options to reduce wildfire risk, particularly in high-risk areas. Options include adopting grid technology to identify system deficiencies and faults; applying for increased right-of way widths and vegetation control easements to reduce vegetation contacts; increasing line patrols, hazard tree removals and brushing programs; replacing aging infrastructure; burying lines; and installing wildlife deterrents. Some companies have implemented or are in the process of building Public Safety Power Shutoff programs aimed at proactive de-energization of assets in advance of conditions that could cause a catastrophic wildfire in a community. In addition, the power line industry recently completed the Alberta electric utility wildfire risk management: best management practices 2024 guide to assist companies in actively managing wildfire risk. The guide is available to view online at https://open.alberta.ca/pubIicationslalberta-eIectric-utiIity-wiIdfire-risk-management-bestmanagement-practices.323
Power line companies and other partners are working with the Alberta government to further enhance the provincial weather station and camera detection networks to improve wildfire detection, monitoring, and preparedness. The power line industry has been funding a project to support the province in enhancement of a fuel grid for Alberta, which is an integral input into developing wildfire risk assessments.
Development:
The response from Alberta Forestry and Parks indicates acknowledgement of the issues highlighted in Resolution 11-24F and past government/industry action to mitigate powerline wildfire risks. However, powerlines are still a significant contributor to wildfires in Alberta; from 2018 to 2024, there is an upward trend in the number of wildfires caused by powerlines. Furthermore, powerlines have caused 86 wildfires on average during this time period and 602 wildfires overall. Despite the efforts and initiatives undertaken by government as highlighted in the response from Forestry and Parks, they have not resulted in meaningful change towards wildfire mitigation in Alberta. Additionally, the response does not indicate any current or future work to review powerline right of way widths or expand brushing initiatives.
RMA assigns this resolution a status of Intent Not Met but looks forward to the successful implementation of existing and new wildfire mitigation strategies concerning powerline infrastructure.
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