Charlotte County fire departments are prepared to step into action as wildfire season continues to threaten much of New Brunswick.
Both Eastern Charlotte Fire Rescue (ECFR) and the Saint Andrews Fire Department (SAFD) said this season has not produced a wildfire crisis in Charlotte County yet.
Steve Neil, the Saint Andrews Mayor and captain at the SAFD, said everything has been business as usual.
“We’ve been very fortunate this summer so far even though the conditions are not particularly favourable,” Neil said. “We haven’t had too many calls or incidents of major concern.”
This summer has been dry, hot and windy — conditions that Neil said can lead to drought.
ECFR Chief Justin Johnston said the station was busy last August.
“As of right now the woods are still very dry but we’ve definitely noticed a lot more green things this year than last year,” Johnston said. “But we’re still not out of the woods yet, no pun intended.”
The most recent wildfire near Charlotte County this season at the time of publication was near Brockway, a community in neighbouring York County.
It burned around 13 hectares of forested area and was considered contained on July 16. The fire is classified as out by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as of July 23.
This season, the province has seen a total of 328 wildfires, up from the 10–year average of 190.
Johnston said the department is looking at increasing firefighting capabilities with a new sprinkler system that works to protect buildings from wildfires.
The sprinklers attach to the eaves of buildings and create a dome of water around the property to protect it from sparks and ash, which are among the leading causes of homes catching fire during a wildfire.
Johnston said ECFR will work with SAFD Chief Kevin Theriault to replicate the kits containing these sprinkler systems, which the Saint Andrews department has already deployed.
Two sprinklers are needed to properly help protect an average house, according to Neil.
“They will help prevent things like the sparks that can get into a gutter or the mulch beds around the house, it kind of creates a bit of a different atmosphere that will help protect structures from wildfires,” Neil said.
According to the DNR, more than 97 per cent of wildfires in New Brunswick are caused by the public. These fires are often caused by careless actions such as improperly discarding cigarettes, leaving campfires unattended or not paying attention to government-issued bans.
Less than three per cent of wildfires are caused by lightning, which can be the most dangerous source because it can go unreported.
“Be vigilant. Pay attention to the wildfire index,” Johnston said. “Just don’t make us run through the woods.”
The New Brunswick Fire Watch is provided by the DNR. Johnston and Neil said it is something to keep an eye on. The website is updated daily at 2 p.m. and shows the province’s current burn bans and active fires.
“A lot of people will go out in the morning and burn grass or leaves, and at 2 p.m. the fire conditions change,” Neil said. “They could have gone from a day where they were allowed to burn to suddenly, they’re not allowed to burn.”
