Alberta’s forestry ministry is facing six workplace safety charges following the death of a wildland firefighter 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 a wildfire in Jasper National Park. He was fatally injured after being hit by a falling tree.
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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.
A spokesperson for the ministry did not return Global News’ comment request by publication.
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