FREDERICTON — Spring marks the start of wildfire season across Canada, with the climate crisis upping the danger every year.
“Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense,” said Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland in a recent press release. “Canada’s 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive ever recorded. While New Brunswick was spared any major destructive events, our neighbours in Nova Scotia and Quebec were not. Both had record years, and it could happen here.”
New Brunswick firefighting teams mobilized 23 times last year, with 236 firefighters going to five provinces and one territory to assist, according to provincial figures.
Over the last decade, New Brunswick has averaged 246 fires per year, said provincial officials, with 450 hectares of forest burned. But last year, that area doubled to 857 hectares burned, including the 500-hectare Stein Lake fire. While there were fewer fires last year compared to the annual average, 202 of the 209 were human caused. Lightning caused seven.
Wildfire prevention officer Roger Collet urges New Brunswickers to take precautions.
“Move things like firewood piles and storage sheds at least 10 metres away from your home,” he said in the press release.
He also recommends “planting fire-resistant plants and shrubs and regularly cleaning up fallen branches, dead leaves, dry grass, and needles from the grounds around the home and the home’s roof and gutters.”
Before burning, check restrictions at gnb.ca or call 1-866-458-8080.