This Wednesday, March 1, marks the beginning of Wildfire Season in Alberta.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier says our province has traditionally had the lowest fines for activities that lead to wildfires, but that's changed.

"We are hoping that larger fines will show people that all Albertans should be serious about doing their part and we're hoping increasing the fines will play a role in that," Carlier says.

The new maximum fine for corporations is now $1 million.

Carlier says the way the wildfire that burned into Fort McMurray last year was due to extreme, dry conditions. He says everyone knows that it takes no time for the snow to melt and the grass to start showing and dry conditions to appear.

"Any burning in the forested areas of Alberta, outside of having a campfire, you're going to need a permit," the minister says. "Fire permits are free, easily obtainable and can be requested at any Agriculture and Forestry office."

He says with the May long weekend not that far away, the first long weekend of the camping season, the increased ability to fine people who don't extinguish their campfires is a last option to change Albertans' behaviour around fire.

He says traditionally Wildfire season started April 1 but it's been moved up to March 1 over the last few years because winters have generally been drier and there's a real need to be prepared earlier.

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