Alberta Ministry Faces OHS Charges Over Fatal Jasper Wildfire Firefighter Death

Alberta's occupational-health regulator has charged the Ministry of Forestry and Parks with six safety violations after 24-year-old Morgan Kitchen was killed by a falling tree while fighting the 2024 Jasper wildfire.

On July 29, Alberta's occupational-health regulator filed six charges against the Ministry of Forestry and Parks, accusing it of breaching the OHS Act in connection with the death of 24-year-old wildland firefighter Morgan Kitchen. Kitchen was fatally hit by a tree on Aug. 3, 2024 while responding to the Jasper Wildfire Complex, which destroyed about one-third of the town's structures. The allegations claim the ministry did not properly identify or control site hazards, failed to provide adequate training, and neglected to remove hazardous trees or establish a no-work zone.

James Gault, vice-president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, praised the regulator's move, noting the incident's impact on the firefighting community. A ministry spokesperson confirmed awareness of the charges, offered condolences to Kitchen’s relatives and coworkers, and reiterated a commitment to safety while refusing further comment until the matter is before the courts. The case underscores the dangers faced by Alberta's wildfire crews and may prompt tighter safety protocols for large-scale fire operations.