(Published with permission from Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department Inc.)
For many years, New Brunswickers saw wildfires on the news and thought, “That happens somewhere else.”
Last year was an eye-opener for many. Wildfire risk is real in New Brunswick too, and while we cannot control the weather, we can take steps to reduce the risk around our homes. In 2025, New Brunswick had active wildfires, including several listed as out of control, along with evacuation advisories in some areas.
FireSmart Canada recommends maintaining a non-combustible area within 1.5 metres of the home, cleaning up fallen branches, dry grass and needles, and pruning tree branches up to 2 metres from the ground. Wind-blown embers can collect in gutters, under decks, in dry grass, or against combustible materials near the house. Small actions can make a big difference.
Here are a few things you can do to help us protect your home in the event of a wildfire:
• Clean leaves, needles, and debris from gutters and roofs
• Remove dry grass, dead branches, and combustible debris from around your home
• Keep the first 1.5 metres around your home as non-combustible as possible
• Avoid storing firewood, lumber, patio furniture, or other combustibles directly against the house
• Clean under decks and porches where dry material can collect
• Prune lower branches from trees and create space between trees where possible
Wildfire prevention is not only a fire department issue. It is a community issue. The more prepared our properties are, the better chance firefighters have of protecting homes when conditions become dangerous.
Learn more at firesmartcanada.ca.
