New Brunswick officials say province is ready for wildfire season
Global News
New Brunswick officials say the province is prepared for this year's fire season, with 143 trained firefighters, 24 student recruits and two more water bombers.
New Brunswick officials say the province is prepared for this year’s fire season, with 143 trained firefighters, 24 student recruits and two more water bombers.
The province’s 10-year average is 246 fires per year, with 4.5 square kilometres of forest burned, Environment Minister Mike Holland told a news conference about the government’s preparations.
But while the number of fires last year was below average, he said they were far more destructive, torching 8.6 square kilometres. He said 202 of the 209 wildfires in 2023 were caused by humans, and seven were from lightning.
“In fact, subsequent years going forward are going to be the same way,” he said.
“So it is so important … that we have a full contingent of people who are at the ready at a moment’s notice to be able to ensure that New Brunswickers stay safe.”
Roger Collet, a wildfire prevention officer, said the government has 143 trained firefighters and 24 student recruits who are ready to battle blazes this season. Last year the province had six aircraft to carry water; this year it has eight, he said.
“It covers us for what we normally have here,” he said. “If we had a super bad season as some of our neighbours did, we would definitely have to bring in extra help, but we do have sufficient help for right now.”
In Nova Scotia, there was an unprecedented string of wildfires last year in the southwestern corner of the province and in the Halifax area, which forced more than 16,000 people out of their homes and destroyed 151 houses and dozens of other structures.
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