Fellow firefighters line a roadway as the funeral procession for a Calgary firefighter who died while battling a wildfire in Jasper National Park passes through Hinton, Alta., on Aug. 4, 2024. The Canadian Press/HO-Alberta Wildfire
Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry and Parks has been charged with six workplace safety violations in connection with the death of a man who was killed while combating a wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Calgary resident Morgan Kitchen was stationed in the Rocky Mountain House area, approximately 200 kilometres north of the city, when he received a call to fight the catastrophic blaze that swept through Jasper National Park two years ago.
The 24-year-old died in August of 2024 after being struck by a falling tree.
The forestry and parks ministry, which employs wildland firefighters, is now facing six charges under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act.
The charges filed against the ministry on July 29 relate to a number of alleged violations of workplace safety regulations that are outlined in the OHS Act, according to the province’s website.
It is alleged that the ministry failed to guarantee the safety of its employees by not providing sufficient training and by neglecting to properly evaluate and manage the “hazards arising from dangerous trees.”
The ministry is also accused of failing to establish a safe work zone to protect workers from hazardous areas and of failing to adequately assess the site before firefighters began work. The charges have not been tested in court.
Spokesperson Arthur Green told The Epoch Times the ministry is aware of the charges but would not comment on the specifics of the allegations or the legal proceedings while the matter is before the courts.
“Our thoughts remain with our Alberta Wildfire colleague’s family, friends and co-workers,” he said via email. “Safety is our highest priority. We remain committed to providing a safe workplace for our staff.”
The ministry’s first court appearance is set for Sept. 24, 2026, in the Jasper Court of Justice.
Charges can be laid under Alberta’s OHS Act if an investigation finds that a workplace safety violation has occurred, according to the government website.
If a serious incident or fatality happens, the file is sent to Alberta Justice, and formal charges are laid if there is a reasonable likelihood of conviction and it is in the public interest, the site said. Charges must be laid within two years of the incident.
Kitchen was seriously injured by a falling tree on Aug. 3, 2024, while fighting an active fire northeast of Jasper. Parks Canada said the firefighter’s crew provided immediate first aid.
The park’s rescue staff, together with the provincial crew, used a wheeled stretcher to transport the injured firefighter to the nearest helipad. He was taken from the scene via a STARS air ambulance and later died.
Thousands of people had fled the Jasper townsite and park weeks prior to the incident due to wildfires, which eventually spread into the community, destroying one-third of its buildings.
A total of 32,722 hectares (80,860 acres) were burned before the fire was declared under control on Sept. 7, 2024.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
