With spring just around the corner, wildfire season comes right along with it, and Alberta Wildfire is asking the public to start be cautious with flammables out in the province's forests.

The official start of wildfire season is March 1: those who are working with open flames in forested areas must have a permit, with the exception of campfires.

Melissa Story, provincial information officer with Alberta Wildfire, spoke with CFWE about how to be as safe as possible with fires out in the bush.

Alberta Wildfire confirmed that 60 per cent of wildfires in 2022 were "human caused." Story said the best way to prevent a wildfire from starting is to "fully extinguish" a campfire by "soaking the ashes, until their cool to the touch." The provincial information officer also advised the public to look out for is "hotspots" on off-road vehicles, which can have "smoldering debris that can drop to the ground" and start a fire.

Alberta has a vast terrain, and wildfires in the province aren't just limited to the forests: grass fires are easy to start and are just as dangerous as forest wildfires. Story says that the best way to prevent grass fires is to follow the same precautions: "be extra careful and making sure your fire is extinguished."

More information on Alberta wildfires and forecasts can be found on the provincial website.

​​Listen to the full CFWE Interview below with Melissa Story: