Wildfires and drought are a couple of the reasons the NDP government is calling for a higher than expected deficit.

According to the first quarter report released Monday spending due to drought and wildfires is projected to be $757 million, $456 million more than forecast in March.

Alberta is forecast to end the year with a record $5.9 billion deficit, $814 million more than forecast in the March 2015 budget, which was introduced by the previous PC government but never passed because they were defeated in the provincial election.

The province forecasts a $1 billion increase in revenue for 2015-2016, partly from increases in graduated personal income tax rates and a two-percent corporate tax rate set to go into effect Oct. 1, which the government says will add another $497 million to the books.

Expenses are forecast at $50.2 billion, $1.8 billion more than projected in the March budget.

The government points out Monday's forecast was put together at the end of July and does not reflect the huge drop in oil prices since then.

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