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By The Canadian Press
Provincial Politics

Alberta ministry facing workplace safety charges in firefighter’s 2024 death

Aug 5, 2026 | 11:47 AM

Alberta’s government is facing workplace safety related charges in the death of a firefighter who was struck by a tree about two years ago while tackling the massive wildfire in Jasper National Park.

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety says the wildland firefighter was employed by the minister of forestry and parks when a tree fell on him in August 2024.

OHS doesn’t name the firefighter in an online statement but media has reported the death of 24-year-old wildland firefighter Morgan Kitchen.

OHS says it laid six charges under the Health and Safety Act against the ministry last week.

The wildfire erupted in July 2024 and torched a third of the structures in the Rocky Mountain town of Jasper.

It also forced 25,000 people to flee in the dead of night.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2026.

by The Canadian Press