Alberta is preparing for an early forest-fire season with wildfire crews on-duty starting March 1st - the third time for a March start since 2006.

Wildfire Information Officer Geoffry Driscoll says although the start of the season is not a direct response to the devastating Slave Lake Fire of 2011, the early kick off is due to a review that came out following the wild-fire.

Driscoll explains "the review that was put out after those fires, one of the things that they noticed is fires are starting earlier and earlier in the year, so we are responding to that trend, not necessarily that fire."

Driscoll adds that 80 percent of fires last season were caused by humans and were 100 percent preventable.  

Normally this number is about 60 percent, so it is important to ensure your campfire is out, and checking your winter and fall burns.

He says the season will begin March  - rather then April first - meaning people need to be aware they have the proper fire permits in order.