Wildfire season is underway in Alberta, and the province is asking everyone to be aware of the risk of human-caused wildfires.

The province is also reminding those using Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) to be aware they can spark fires. If you plan on riding OHVs in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, you can reduce the risk of your vehicle causing a wildfire by following these steps:

• Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.
• After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.
• Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail, or fire extinguisher.
• Wash your OHV and keep it clean; do not wash in streams and creeks.
• Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.
• Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it is extinguished.

For more information, see Off-highway vehicles: Wildfire prevention tips.

Alberta is looking for your feedback on how to best share information on wildfires in the province. They are asking you to fill out a short survey online to help them improve their delivery of public information.