Fire and the Forest
Wildfires
Fire has always been part of the forest. We can't stop it, but we can reduce fuel, stay prepared, and respond fast. That work protects homes, communities, and the land—part of how we care for the forest and the people who depend on it.
Below, you'll find tips to understand fire risk, protect your property and links to stay informed.
Fire risk explained
The Wildfire Triangle
Wildfire risk and behaviour come down to three things: weather, topography, and fuel.
Weather—heat, wind, dry conditions—and topography—the shape of the land—are beyond anyone's control. But fuel can be managed.
Fuel is anything that burns: trees, branches, dry wood on the forest floor. When it builds up, fires burn hotter and move faster.
Windstorms pile up fallen trees. Overmature forests hold more dead wood. Both add to what’s available to burn.
Forest Management
Building Fire Resilience
Due to the continuous cycle of harvest and renewal, managed forests have less total fuel than unmanaged forested.
Foresters’ work lowers the fire risk – reducing the total fuel available to burn by harvesting 1.5% of the forest each year, keeping the forest healthy by removing dead or struggling trees, spacing out dense stands, and maintaining a diversity of trees across the landscape.
Forest roads also give firefighters and equipment a way in, and room to build fire breaks.
None of this prevents wildfires. But it helps forests handle fire better, and makes fires less severe when they do start.
Forest patrol
Protecting the Forest
J.D. Irving, Limited runs its own firefighting fleet—the only private company in Canada to do so. With 7 airstrips, when a call comes in, crews can be airborne in 15 minutes. Flying at 175 miles an hour, they can reach anywhere in New Brunswick within the hour.
When fire threatens, we don't wait. We go.
Our Firefighting Fleet – By The Numbers
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4
Firefighting Planes
800 gallons each – about what a fire truck carries
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1
Kodiac Spotter Plane
The command-and-control center in the sky
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2
Helicopters
300-gallon buckets – quick fills from rivers and lakes
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37
Fire Trucks
1,000 gallons each – stationed across the province
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115
Trained Firefighters
1,000+ hours of readiness training per year
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360,000
Feet of Hose
That’s more than 1,200 football fields long
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7
private airstrips
equipped with fuel, water and fire retardent
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10
pilots
ready to respond within minutes of a call
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1000
Hours of Training
every year - preparedness is a big part of the job.
Did You Know?
Wildfires in Canada
Every year, wildfires burn over three times more forest than is harvested by the forest industry in Canada. On average, fires damage over 2 million hectares—nearly 5 million acres—nationally.
Protect Your Home and Property
Wildfires threaten homes and infrastructure, degrade air quality, lead to economic losses for local business and communities, and release millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide. Managing risk protects people and the land both.
How ready is your property?
FireSmart Canada has practical guidance to help you prepare:
Keep the Woods Safe
Fire risk runs high across the region during dry stretches. Before heading out, check current conditions and any restrictions:
New Brunswick Fire WatchNova Scotia Fire Weather ForecastMaine Wildfire Danger Report