The provincial government has launched a new wildfire dashboard for the public.
Last year, the dashboard displayed the ongoing wildfires that were ravaging New Brunswick’s forests. This new dashboard, according to the Department of Natural Resources, consolidates data from the wildfire management branch and provides updates as fires occur in real-time.
“The dashboard, along with our Fire Watch website, were pivotal resources for New Brunswickers and our wildfire management partners during last year’s wildfires,” John Herron, Minister of Natural Resources, said in a media release. “These tools empower residents with real-time updates and critical information to stay informed and prepared during wildfire season.”
Herron said in the release that the dashboard is a result of feedback from internal staff, government partners and external stakeholders. The new dashboard also centralizes the information.
“New Brunswickers can rest assured that our wildfire fighters respond to hundreds of incidents every wildfire season,” Herron said in the release. “While wildfires are a reality, not all result in the kind of challenges we faced last summer.”
According to the dashboard, 414.2 hectares have burned this year, compared with 98.2 hectares during the same period last year. There have been 285 fires year-to-date.
Only one fire is currently being patrolled in the province, in Kings County.
The province recently unveiled four Fire Boss aircraft that were purchased to help combat New Brunswick’s intensifying wildfire seasons.
