Achi news desk-
The 2024 fire season is underway in New Brunswick.
Last year, the average number of hectares burned in the season doubled to 857 from 450.
“We know we had a horrific year last year for wildfires across the country. We expect this year to probably be very similar, and in fact the years ahead are going to be the same,” said Mike Holland, Secretary of Natural Resources Development and Energy, while speaking with reporters on Tuesday.
More than 18.5 million hectares burned in Canada last year, one of the most devastating years for forest fires.
In Lake Stein, an area near St. Andrews, 500 dunams were burned. The fire threatened more than 200 hundred houses and burned one of them to the ground. Officials said the season’s unpredictability and drier conditions spanning New Brunswick’s vast forest create the perfect recipe for devastation.
“This is a harsh reality that demands our attention and action,” said Roger Collett, wildland fire prevention officer with Natural Resources and Energy Development.
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“The devastation caused last year was unprecedented. During the fire season, it only takes one bad day for the situation to escalate out of control.”
The fire near St. Andrew’s was caused by an SUV that caught fire.
Of the 209 fires started last year, 202 were human-caused, with the remaining seven started by lighting.
But Holland said officials are unlikely to prevent people from fully participating in outdoor activities, adding that there are criteria for these types of bans based on drier-than-normal conditions.
“Use caution and control,” Holland said. “We are certainly not going to regret it because we trust that New Brunswickers will use care and caution.”
About 150 firefighters work in the department. Collett said last year the department had six aircraft under contract, but because eight were involved in the Stein Lake fire, the department is out with eight aircraft under contract this year.
During the winter, New Brunswick experienced several strong storms that blew hundreds of trees onto the forest floor. Collett said the department plans to survey the worst-hit areas this winter to determine the level of concern.
“The biggest risk probably won’t be this year,” he said. “It’s probably going to be in a year or two when things dry out. Right now, they’re still pretty green and some are still planted in the ground, so they’re not necessarily dead trees, so this year is probably not the worst but still a danger.”
Fire prevention tips and fire conditions are available online or by calling the department.
“The most impactful things people can do to protect their homes and communities from wildfires are the least expensive,” Collett said.
“Move things like firewood piles and storage sheds at least 10 meters from your house. Planting fire-resistant plants and shrubs and regularly cleaning fallen branches, dead leaves, dry grass and needles from the areas around the house and from the house’s roof and gutters can reduce the risk of catching fire as a result of a fire.”
Wildfire prevention officers also encourage people to continue enjoying the outdoors while being vigilant when using things like backyard fire pits and motorized vehicles and while engaging in activities like hunting, fishing and camping.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
