'Safety is our highest priority'
Alberta's Ministry of Forestry and Parks has been charged with six violations under the province's Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act following the 2024 death of wildland firefighter Morgan Kitchen.
Kitchen, 24, of Calgary, was fatally struck by a tree on Aug. 3, 2024, while fighting the wildfire that swept through the Jasper townsite. The ministry was his employer at the time.
The charges, laid July 29, 2026, allege failures to assess and control worksite hazards, inadequate worker training, and a failure to take reasonable precautions such as removing hazardous trees or establishing a no-work zone, according to CBC News. A first court appearance is set for Sept. 24, 2026, in Jasper.
Union and government reaction
James Gault, a vice-president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, which represents wildland firefighters, said the union is glad OHS is pursuing charges against the province, CBC News reported.
"Our members are in dangerous situations," Gault told CBC News, adding that Kitchen's death left colleagues shaken and underscored the daily risks firefighters face.
"What we have to remember first is Morgan Kitchen was a person, right? He's not a statistic," Gault said.
Arthur Green, a government spokesperson for the ministry, confirmed to CBC News that officials are aware of the charges but declined further comment while the matter is before the courts. "Our thoughts remain with our Alberta Wildfire colleague's family, friends and co-workers," Green said. "Safety is our highest priority."
Circumstances of the death
According to a 2024 statement from the Jasper Wildfire Complex Unified Command, made up of Parks Canada and Municipality of Jasper members, Kitchen's crew gave first aid at the scene before he was moved by wheeled stretcher to a nearby helipad, CBC News reported.
He was then flown to the Parks Canada operations compound, where a STARS Air Ambulance helicopter was waiting. Kitchen was pronounced dead shortly after.
None of the allegations against the ministry have been tested in court.
