YOU CAN SEE SUMMER FROM HERE
Bob Kosinski watches his drive as he begins his first round of golf of the year at Victoria Golf Course on Friday. The course’s April 1 opening was its earliest since 1994.
Unseasonably warm spring temperatures are bringing with it the early rise of golf and wildfire seasons in Alberta.
Dry conditions have sparked several fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province.
Many of the fire bans and advisories are for southern Alberta, but several counties in the Edmonton area are on alert. Bans are in place for Leduc County, Itaska Beach, Beaver County and County of Minburn. Lamont County is under a fire advisory.
Rocky Forest Area information officer Barry Shellian said he hopes people will check on conditions and possible fire bans before heading out.
“We want people to know before they go, so that a ranger like myself doesn’t have to come out and say ‘put out your fire,’” Shellian said.
The province started its wildfire season on March 1 in anticipation of a busy year. In 2015, nearly 5,000 square kilometres were torched. Last year, there were 1,786 wildfires in Alberta, which is more than twice the 25-year average.
At the same time, Edmontonians are taking advantage of the spring warmth by booking tee times at several city golf courses, which have opened nearly a month ahead of schedule.
Both Rundle Park and Victoria Park golf courses opened Friday, and Riverside is expected to open soon. Meanwhile, Mill Woods Golf Course in southwest Edmonton opened its doors on Thursday with full permanent greens, while Eagle Rock, just south of Edmonton and east of Beaumont, opened last weekend.
“You could go snowboarding a week ago, and you can go golfing now. It’s kind of weird,” said John Restauro, teeing off Friday for the first time this season at Victoria Park Golf Course on Friday.
This is the earliest Victoria Park has been open since 1994.
“The greens are fantastic. It’s almost like mid-May shape,” said Kevin Hogan, head golf professional at Victoria Park. Hogan said weekend tee times were almost fully booked as golfers look to dust off their clubs while temperatures soar.
Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures of 21° C in Edmonton on Saturday with a mix of wind, rain and sun, before they dip back down to 13° C on Sunday.