Low pay, high risk. Why stay to fight wildfires in Alberta?

Update: 2025-07-23

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From the Best of What On Earth – Wildland firefighters say working conditions threaten the safety of crew and the public in Alberta. People on the front lines say they’re losing team members to other employers that offer better pay, benefits and long-term opportunities – leaving what they call a gap in experience on the crews. In the midst of what is shaping up to be Canada’s second-worst wildfire season, we revisit our conversation.

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