The New Brunswick government has announced $2.6 million for up to 50 communities to prepare and respond to wildfires.
It is part of a $14.6 million federal-provincial investment in Natural Resource Canada’s Resilient Communities.
This past summer was the second largest forest fire season for New Brunswick, which recorded 448 fires and burned 3,412.5 hectares— an area 14 times the size of the ten year average.
“We were extremely fortunate not to have lost any lives or infrastructure this past summer, and we anticipate that the wildfire risk to our province is going to continue to increase due to climate change,” said Natural Resources Minister John Herron in a release by the Government of New Brunswick.
In July, the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission (SNBSC) applied for a joint resiliency plan for Charlotte County, which would include all the municipalities. According to executive director Hollis Bartlett, each local entity would receive its own dedication section of the plan.
In May 2023, a forest fire ravaged an area in Bocabec, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people from their homes. However, the entire response faced challenges related to inter-agency communication.
The after action report released in June 2025—two years after the fire—was used as a blueprint for how to extinguish the various fires this year, according to Herron.
The Department of Natural Resources was $14 million over budget due to fire suppression and mobilization in response to wildfires this year.
Herron said in a release the money is to allow communities to hire consultants to develop a strategic framework.
“Wildfire risks vary from one region to another,” said Saint John-Kennebecasis MP Wayne Long in the release. “These plans are crucial for tailoring solutions to the realities of local communities in New Brunswick. This investment ensures that communities have the expertise and resources to strengthen their resilience and protect their families, homes and critical infrastructure for years to come.”
The government said there are typically four pillars of wildfire resiliency including risk assessment, mitigation strategies, emergency response, and community engagement.
“Our communities have varied needs and risk factors in terms of wildfires,” said Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy in the release. “Identifying these factors, such as how close communities are located to heavily forested areas versus the different risks facing urban communities, will enable communities to be better prepared for their unique needs.”
