Fort McMurray Forum

The Wood Buffalo region is considered at high risk for wildfires this season, and the province is already taking precautions.

Home to Alberta's largest blaze in decades, the region is considered at an even higher risk this wildfire season.

Wildfire Information Officer, Geoffry Driscoll says the Richardson Fire north of Fort McMurray, which burnt more than 700,000 hectares last Summer, is still smouldering and being monitored for hot spots.

The current wildfire hazard for the area is considered low, but  Driscoll says a blaze could spark at any time.

"Especially anywhere where there is dry grass, in the trees it's still a little bit more wet and there's still a little bit a of snow, although that being said, even alot of that snow is starting to melt away. So any areas where you have grass, or even the top of the Muskeg is really dry right now," said Driscoll.

A dozen firefighters are already on standby in the municipality, by month's end there will be more than 70 staff on call.

Last year 80 per cent of wildfires in Alberta were human caused, compared to the usual 60 per cent.

While fires scorched 950,000 hectares of forest last year, more than 12 times the five year average.