New Brunswick's Wildfire Season: Early Start, Intense Fight

0:00New Brunswick's wildfire season is firing up early this year, with officials bracing for scorching, bone-dry summer after one of the driest winters. In decades, that's 10 straight months of below normal rain, setting the stage for heightened fire risks right from the third week of April. Environment Canada predicts this summer could rank among the hottest on record, building on last year's chaos when over 400 wildfires torched. Nearly 3,400 hectares. The province even shut down crownlands province-wide to curb recreation amid the flames. Folks felt the heat last season, scary times for communities, forests, and infrastructure as premieres Susan Holt put it. Leaders are owning those lessons, vowing stronger protection for residents and lands alike. To fight back, they're rolling out four new fireboss planes that scoop water from lakes and rivers, beaving of gear and making 74 forests. Ranger jobs year-round. They budgeted $6.7 million for prep and prevention, plus kits and plans for municipalities.

1:04Check the Firewatch dashboard for burned bands and conditions, stay sharp, protect your neighbors, and keep communities safe through October 31st. That's your update from Canada News Today, powered by AI.