Environment Canada confirmed on Wednesday that 2019 has been the driest spring on record in several parts of Alberta.
The dry conditions have fuelled wildfires, and made fighting them difficult too.
The record dates vary in different parts of Alberta. Edmonton’s records go back to 1880, Lloydminster’s go back to 1953, High Level’s go back to 1966 and Fort Vermillion’s go back to 1905. However, across those records, 2019 has been the driest.
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For the months of March, April and May, High Level saw only 2.1 millimetres of rain. Fort Vermillion had 10.2 mm, Lloydminster had 29.1 mm and Edmonton had 25.9 mm.
That is a very minimal amount of precipitation. Edmonton has received 33.9 mm of rain so far in June, which has helped the dry conditions. Environment Canada said the regions around High level haven’t seen any.
As of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, there were 17 wildfires burning in Alberta, seven of which were considered to be out of control. The largest of them is the Chuckegg Creek fire, which was nearly 270,000 hectares in size as of Wednesday night. One hectare is larger than a football field.
READ MORE: Alberta wildfires are ‘climate change in action,’ scientist says as summer heat looms
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of wildfires in Alberta.
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High Level wildfire evacuees to return home Monday -
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Firefighters in Manning keep watchful eye on Battle Complex Wildfire -
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No end in sight for Alberta’s raging wildfires -
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Fire ban in place in Edmonton -
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10,000 people forced out, 15 homes destroyed by Alberta wildfires -
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New photos shed light of toll wildfires are taking on northern Alberta -
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Jason Kenney says reasons for forest fires are complex, not just climate change -
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‘The carbon tax didn’t stop forest fires’: Jason Kenney -
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Evacuation orders expand as northern Alberta wildfires grow -
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Fire guard holds in High Level, re-entry steps considered -
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Fires break out in Edmonton’s river valley amid hot, dry conditions -
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Blazes break out in Edmonton’s river valley amid hot, dry conditions -
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Brush fires in Edmonton’s Mill Creek Ravine -
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Fire guard ‘handled very well’ as wildfire spreads away from High Level -
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Optimism for High Level wildfire evacuees -
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High Level wildfire hasn’t spread towards town, but extreme fire still exist: Alberta Wildfire -
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Alberta wildfires Monday morning update: Trout Lake evacuation alert; High Level winds shift -
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Out-of-control wildfire near High Level grows to 97,000 hectares -
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Controlled burns helps keep Chuckegg Creek fire at bay near High Level
There is some potential relief on the horizon for the affected regions. The current forecast suggests that later this week, northern Alberta could be seeing some rain move through the region.
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