The provincial government has released a multi-year wildfire management plan, building upon lessons learned during the challenging 2025 wildfire season.

"New Brunswick's investments in wildfire readiness reflect our commitment to protecting communities, critical infrastructure and the environment," said Natural Resources Minister John Herron. "As we confront increasing wildfire threats, we are improving our capacity to adapt and respond swiftly to the challenges posed by a changing climate."

The 2025 wildfire season was one of the most devastating in the province's history, with 444 wildfires burning about 3,400 hectares of forest. The season was marked by successive challenges, including an unprecedented summer drought, several major wildland fires near communities, and stress on resources.

An after-action report, which formed the basis of the new plan, highlighted strong operational response but identified challenges in staffing, co-ordination, resources and communication. To address these issues, the government has converted 74 seasonal forest ranger positions into year-round roles, purchased new firefighting equipment and funded community wildfire resiliency plans. Future actions will focus on public education, support for responders and strengthened collaboration to build resilience against increasing wildfire threats.

The recently upgraded wildfire dashboard and website were also developed based on feedback from internal staff, government partners and external stakeholders collected through surveys and engagement sessions.

Through these efforts, said Herron, the province aims to ensure improved co-ordination, reduce wildfire risks and build stronger resilience as the climate continues to evolve.

Related links

• Wildfire management preparedness plan