It's a wild year for wildfires already in parts of Newfoundland

A dry spring in parts of Newfoundland and Labrador is increasing the risk fires will start — and spread — across the province.

So far this year, the provincial government has tracked 53 wildfires covering more than 109 hectares.

That number is higher than last year's 18, which saw some of its worst fire damage in a decade, especially in the central Newfoundland area. Of those 53, there were 34 fires before May 1, compared to only two in the same time period in 2022.

However, it doesn't mean this summer's forest fire probability will continue on this trajectory, says Jeff Motty, supervisor of forest insect disease and fire control for Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Our snow pack disappeared really quickly, and when that water is melted and gone through the system, gone out to the ocean, that really increases the the risk of wildfire within the forested areas," he said.

"It's hard to say what that will mean for the summer. It could mean we have more fire activity, but we could be in a position where, you know, we get a really wet June, which is what I'm hoping for."

Motty and his team are always assessing the risk of wildfires throughout the province. They meet daily to address conditions, and position firefighting resources in the area where probability is high. 

"We're constantly making sure that we're doing everything in our power to be ready in case the call comes."

In 2022, the island portion of the province experienced the worst forest fires in decades as three separate fires burned in central Newfoundland during a dry, hot period.

Triggered by lightning strikes, the fires started July 24 and led to temporary closure of the highway connecting towns along the Connaigre Peninsula to the rest of the province. Some communities were left in a state of emergency, and food and supplies had to be flown in by helicopter.

Looking back, Motty says the incident could have been a lot worse.

"We had an incident management team on that fire within 24 hours and we found that to be a truly effective way to move forward," he said. "A quick engagement of that incident management team right off the bat really helped us as a province."

He said the dry weather following the lightning had a profound effect on how quickly and fast those fires moved toward communities.

In Alberta this week, the dry weather is helping fuel the 94 wildfires already burning across the province.