New Brunswick officials say province is ready for wildfire season
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.
New Brunswick has seen a "troubling" trend in which wildfires have not only become more frequent but also more intense, Collet said. "It's a stark reality that demands our attention and action. The devastation caused by wildfires of last year was unprecedented during wildfire season."
New Brunswick's fire season begins on the third Monday of April. Fires usually start in the south and move north as the summer rolls on, he said.
While New Brunswick had "lots of precipitation," over the winter, Collet said, it fell in the form of rain and not snow, which means it's possible grass fires might pop up sooner than usual.
Meanwhile, federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said on Monday that the latest spring fire forecast suggests that a combination of above-average temperatures and limited rain and snow have left drought-like, tinderbox conditions across much of the country.
The combination of climate change and population growth is leading to an increase in the risk of wildfires on the fringes of or near urban areas.
Nearly four million Canadians -- roughly one in 10 -- live in areas where combustible forests are prevalent, Wilkinson said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2024.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6970035.1721392588!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Canadian flights, hospitals, border disrupted during global technology outage
A global technology outage had grounded flights, disrupted hospitals and backed up border crossings in Canada on Friday, as reported issues persisted hours after the issues with Microsoft services were said to be getting fixed.
LIVE UPDATES Here's the latest on Canadian impacts of the global IT outage
The latest developments on the Canadian impacts of the global technology outage that is causing massive disruptions to companies and services around the world.
BREAKING Trudeau taps MacKinnon to be new labour minister, replacing O'Regan
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has named Steven MacKinnon as Canada's new minister of labour and seniors, filling a fresh vacancy on his front bench, left by outgoing minister Seamus O'Regan.
WATCH What we know about the reasons behind global internet outage
A Canadian technology analyst says a failed update from a key cybersecurity provider shows the nearly "universal" use of Windows products for key digital infrastructure and highlights how quickly security issues can start to cascade.
Has the global technology outage disrupted your morning? We want to hear from you
A global technology outage has disrupted flights, media outlets, and turned banks offline in a blow to services and companies around the world Friday. CTVNews.ca wants to hear how this has impacted you.
No guarantees for Canada if Trump is president again
The most striking thing about walking the floor of the Republican National Convention (RNC) is seeing just how much this is Donald Trump's party, CTV News' Vassy Kapelos says.
Biden's campaign chair acknowledges support 'slippage' but says he's staying in the race
U.S. President Joe Biden 's campaign is insisting anew that he is not stepping aside as he faces the stark reality that many Democrats at the highest levels want him to consider how stepping aside from the 2024 election to make way for a new nominee atop the ticket could be the party's best chance of preventing widespread losses in November.
Canmore, Alta., family waited hours for help as bear killed dog, slept in their backyard
A Canmore family says they could only watch as a black bear attacked their dog and then slept in their backyard overnight as they waited for help from wildlife officers.
Canadian families will receive more in their next Canada Child Benefit payment. Here's why
Canadian families receiving Canada Child Benefit program payments can expect more cash in their cheques this Friday.