Alberta’s forestry ministry is facing six workplace safety charges following the death of a wildland firefighter during the Jasper wildfire two years ago.
The charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act were laid on July 29, just a few days away from the second anniversary of Morgan Kitchen’s death.
Kitchen, 24, was killed on Aug. 3, 2024, while helping battle the July 2024 wildfire in Jasper National Park that destroyed hundreds of buildings in the townsite.
He was fatally injured after being hit by a falling tree.
The Calgary resident had a “bold and brilliant” personality, a nimble wit and an “outrageous and ridiculous” sense of humour, a memorial post circulating on social media at the time indicated.
It said Kitchen was a much-loved character who gave the best hugs and brought “streams of adventure, joy and fun.”
Kitchen also served with the Canadian Armed Forces, having joined as a primary reservist in February 2020 and serving as an infantry private with the Calgary Highlanders.
The charges against the Ministry of Forestry and Parks allege Kitchen’s employer “failed to ensure the safety of workers” by not adequately assessing and controlling hazards arising from dangerous trees, as well as failing to adequately establish and maintain an area excluding workers from a hazardous place or a place that had not yet been adequately assessed.”
“We are aware that Occupational Health and Safety charges have been laid against Alberta Forestry and Parks. As this matter is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of the allegations or the legal proceedings,” Arthur Green, a spokesperson for the Public Safety and Emergency Services Ministry, told in an email.
“Our thoughts remain with our Alberta Wildfire colleague’s family, friends and co-workers. Safety is our highest priority.
“We remain committed to providing a safe workplace for our staff.”
On July 22, 2024, a swiftly-racing wildfire forced 25,000 visitors and town residents to leave, jumping in their cars in the dark of night to flee to safety on one smoke-choked highway.
Two days after the park was emptied of all but essential and emergency workers, shifting winds and towers of flame showered the townsite with embers that lit new fires — destroying a third of all structures in a capricious assault that left intact homes standing alongside piles of rubble.
Kitchen was part of a Alberta Wildfire crew working to fight the inferno. He was from Calgary and based out of the Rocky Mountain House fire base.
The 24-year-old was rushed by stretcher to a helipad and flown out by STARS air ambulance but pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
