Canmore Boosts Wildfire Mitigation Budget to $1.28M

Canmore is ramping up its wildfire mitigation efforts, increasing the budget for a major fireguard project at the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park (CNC) to about $1.28 million as part of a broader push to reduce risk in a community where wildfire is identified as the top hazard.

Council unanimously approved a series of funding adjustments and new projects at its April 7 meeting as part of ongoing, regionally coordinated wildfire mitigation efforts in the Bow Valley, involving the Town of Canmore, MD of Bighorn, Kananaskis Improvement District and provincial agencies, including Alberta Forestry and Parks.

The CNC fireguard project, which began in August 2025, will now total $1,288,625, with the increase largely covered by a $175,000 grant from the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta and $39,525 in additional timber revenue. The budget adjustment does not change the scope of work already underway, but reflects updated funding and revenue to ensure the project is fully financed.

The project forms part of the Bow Valley Community Fireguard, a multi-agency initiative to build a network of fuel-reduction zones around Canmore and neighbouring communities.

Work in the Nordic Centre area has included harvesting selected trees, thinning dense forest stands, pruning remaining vegetation and removing dead wood and debris to reduce available fuel and limit the ability of fire to spread through the forest canopy. The fireguard is designed to act as a buffer between surrounding wilderness and developed areas, giving firefighters a safer area to slow or stop a wildfire before it reaches the town.

Council also approved additional funding for planning work on a separate fireguard along Canmore’s southern boundary, bringing that project’s budget to $367,000.

Unlike the Nordic Centre work, the south boundary fireguard remains in the planning stage and has been delayed by a pending land transaction between the province and Three Sisters Mountain Village. Because portions of the proposed fireguard fall on land that is not yet under provincial control, construction cannot proceed until the transfer is finalized.

“On the south boundary, this is allowing planning. This is allowing the work to begin to move forward,” said Sally Caudill, chief administrative officer for the Town of Canmore, referring to funding that will support environmental studies, Indigenous consultation and permitting required before construction can begin.

Further wildfire mitigation work is also moving ahead in the Canyon Ridge neighbourhood, where council approved a $174,800 increase to expand vegetation management efforts, bringing the total budget for that project to $328,800.

The work will involve thinning trees and removing dead wood to reduce fuel loads in an area that has previously undergone FireSmart treatments, reflecting the need for ongoing maintenance as forests regrow.

“This isn’t just new FireSmart work. This is going back over work that we’ve already done,” said Counc. Tanya Foubert.

In addition to physical mitigation work, council approved a $13,000 FireSmart events program aimed at increasing public awareness and community preparedness.

The program will support outreach to residents, schools and community groups through workshops and community events that demonstrate how to reduce wildfire risk on properties.

“These sorts of events are just so important in continuing to create awareness and spread the word about everyone’s responsibility,” said Sean Krausert, mayor of Canmore.