A new report from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation has presented the first formal assessment of community-level wildfire preparedness in Alberta.
The Scorecard, created in collaboration with FireSmart Alberta, evaluates key areas such as vegetation management, training, and emergency planning.
The tool was piloted in 10 Albertan municipalities in 2024 and is now being positioned for broader provincial and national use.
The Intact Centre reported that while some communities performed well in key areas, others showed failures in basic planning and resourcing.
According to the Centre, the Scorecard offers municipalities a method for identifying weaknesses and guiding future investment in wildfire readiness.
The Intact Centre stated that the 2023 wildfire season in Alberta destroyed over 100 homes and led to large-scale evacuations.
It reported that 2024 saw 1,200 additional wildfires, including the Jasper Wildfire Complex, which displaced 25,000 people.
These recent fire seasons were described by the Centre as “record-breaking” in terms of area burned and people affected.
Dr. Anabela Bonada, managing director of climate science at the Intact Centre, said: “The Scorecard helps communities move from reacting in a crisis to proactive wildfire preparedness.”
She added: “There used to be no way for municipalities in Alberta to measure this specific risk.”
She continued: “Now they can identify strengths, pinpoint gaps and focus investments to build long-term resilience to wildfires.”
The Scorecard was piloted in 10 communities across Alberta in 2024, according to the report.
The Intact Centre said the overall average grade was a B, but individual areas ranged from A+ to fail.
It reported that emergency planning and responder training were generally strong.
However, it identified key barriers including limited staff, unclear authority, and weak enforcement of preparedness rules.
The organisation stated that many communities lacked access to funding and resources needed for basic resilience planning.
The Intact Centre’s report includes several recommendations for improving wildfire readiness in Alberta.
It recommends that provincial funding be made easier to access for municipalities planning fire resilience initiatives.
The report calls for legislative reform to give municipalities more power to enforce wildfire-resistant construction.
It suggests clearer advice to homeowners on how to reduce individual fire risks.
The Centre also recommends improved training for municipal staff on land use and zoning in high-risk areas.
The Intact Centre said the Scorecard could be expanded across Alberta as a standardized assessment tool.
It suggested that the framework could then be scaled nationwide to support consistent fire resilience practices.
According to the Centre, the system enables communities to prioritise spending and assess preparedness in a structured way.
Bonada said: “In leading this effort, Alberta could pave the way for a coordinated, nationwide approach to community wildfire resilience.”
She added: “The early onset of simultaneous wildfires in 2025 across Alberta, Manitoba and Newfoundland underscores the need to mobilize wildfire protection immediately.”
The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation published a wildfire preparedness report on 10 June 2025.
The report was developed in partnership with FireSmart Alberta.
It includes findings from a 2024 pilot using a new Community Scorecard in 10 municipalities.
The Scorecard assesses wildfire readiness across ten categories, including vegetation management and responder training.
The average grade was a B, but results ranged from A+ to fail.
The report identified systemic issues, including staffing shortages and lack of enforcement powers.
It recommends reforms including easier access to funding and stronger municipal authority.
The Intact Centre stated that the Scorecard could be expanded across Alberta and adopted nationally.
The report follows consecutive years of major wildfires in Alberta, including the Jasper Wildfire Complex.
Over 100 homes were destroyed in 2023 wildfires in Alberta.
In 2024, nearly 1,200 wildfires were recorded across the province.
The report was authored by Dr. Anabela Bonada, Enjulie Bedi, and Laura Stewart.
