Although wildfire season in Canada usually begins in early May, when the snow begins to melt and uncover dead vegetation that can become fuel for fires, Alberta’s wildfires have become the second-worst the province has seen during the spring, and news reports place the amount of destroyed forest land at more than 2 million acres or more than 1 million hectares.

Firefighters have responded to more than 5oo wildfires. In total, the fires have burnt 1,017,000 hectares, which CityNews.com reports is the second-most the province has seen through an entire fire season, which usually ends in October.

Christie Tucker, with Alberta Wildfire, told CityNews that "For this time of year, yes, this is an extraordinary year. We have not seen numbers like this in Alberta on record and it is something that … is certainly illustrating what we’ve been saying about the unusual nature of this fire season.”

According to a Reuters report, this type of “ferocious” wildfire activity isn’t typical this early in the year, and firefighters don’t normally see such a large area burned at once. Additionally, a news release issued by the government of Alberta stated the region is experiencing unusually hot, dry conditions this spring, which makes it an ideal environment for fires to spread. A provincial state of emergency in Alberta was declared on May 6, 2023.   

Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard

Softwood lumber prices

To date, the fires appear not to have affected lumber prices, according to Madison’s Lumber Reporter 

In the week ending May 12, 2023, the price of Western S-P-F 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was $360 mfbm, which was flat compared to the previous week when it was $360 mfbm.

That week’s price is up by +$9, or +2%, from one month ago when it was US$351 mfbm.

Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$1,110 mfbm, that week’s price is down by -$750, or -68%. Compared to two years ago when it was US$1,550 mfbm, that week’s price is down by -$1,190 or -77%.

In the week ending May 12, 2023, the price of Southern Yellow Pine East Side 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$510 mfbm. This is down by -$15 or -3% compared to the previous week when it was US$525 mfbm.

That week’s price is down by -$33, or -6%, from one month ago when it was US$543 mfbm.

Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$825 mfbm, that week’s price is down by -$315, or -38%. Compared to two years ago when it was US$1,305 mfbm, that week’s price is down by -$795 or -61%.