New Brunswick’s fire chiefs say they are ready to face what could be a tough wildfire season.
“If conditions don’t change, we’re likely to see a lot of red on the provincial map this summer,” said Roger Pitre, the first vice-president of the New Brunswick Association of Fire Chiefs, in reference to the provincial burn ban map.
But the province and local fire departments have taken steps to better meet the challenges ahead.
Pitre said firefighters across the province received new training on brush fires and forest fires from the Department of Natural Resources. He said 15 fire stations, such as Nouvelle-Arcadie and the Rural Community of Kedgwick, received equipment from the department in April.
In early April, the province announced that 74 seasonal forest ranger positions would be converted to permanent positions and announced a $6.7-million investment to support firefighting efforts.
Christian Gallien said that the equipment provided by the Department of Natural Resources helps them begin fighting wildfires while they wait for the department’s team to arrive on site. (Honorine Ngountchoup/CBC)
The natural resources department said the training is an early stage of a three-year program aiming to increase the number of wildfire firefighters and kits distributed around the province. The kits include a Mark-3 pump, 20 lengths of hose and the necessary accessories to support operations on the ground.
Wildfire season already underway
CBC News checked in with some municipal fire departments about how they’re gearing up and getting ready for the season.
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