FREDERICTON (GNB) – Forest-fire season in New Brunswick begins today, Monday, April 2, and ends on Wednesday, Oct. 31.
Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup is urging people in the province to be careful and take precautions to ensure fires are not carelessly ignited.
“Forest fires needlessly put people's lives in jeopardy, harm wildlife and destroy forests that provide livelihood and recreation for New Brunswickers,” he said. “Let's do all we can to ensure a safe season.”
The 24-hour toll-free Burning Permit information line for Category 1 fires will operate throughout the fire season. To find out whether burning is permitted at a particular place and time, residents should call 1-866-458-8080. The line does not apply to areas inside cities and towns.
For information about campfires and brushfires within cities and towns, contact your local municipality for any restrictions that might apply.
The Department of Natural Resources encourages mulching, composting or hauling debris to a local landfill as alternate methods of disposal. A written permit from the department is required for any fire larger than a Category 1.
Grass fires are a major concern in early spring and can cause serious damage to agricultural and forested lands. Forest fire officials warn New Brunswickers not to light grass fires in fields because they can quickly spread to nearby forests. People who deem it necessary to burn grass are required to submit a written burn plan to the department, have an inspection beforehand and then receive a written permit with departmental guidelines attached.
“Department of Natural Resources firefighters work closely with their colleagues from municipal and volunteer fire departments across New Brunswick to combat wildfires,” Northrup said. “When fires break out in municipalities and rural areas, the volunteer and municipal fire departments are often the first ones called out.”
In 2011, 81 fires burned 44.8 hectares (110.6 acres) of forest land in New Brunswick. From 2001 through 2010, there was an average of 276 fires, burning an average of 404.7 ha (999.6 acres).
“I salute the outstanding work done by our fire management staff throughout the province, our air crews based in Miramichi and our firefighting partners across New Brunswick,” Northrup said. “They all do a great job of protecting the public and our forests.”
For further information, call 1-866-458-8080, go online, or visit any Department of Natural Resources regional or district office.
LINKS:
● Department of Natural Resources: www.gnb.ca/naturalresources
● Forest Fire Watch: www.gnb.ca/firewatch
02-04-12