During the 2020 forest fire season there were 67 recorded fires caused by people – down from 88 in 2019 and 128 in 2018.  These fires accounted for less than five per cent of area burned.

Ninety recorded wildfires burned 4,231 hectares throughout the province. There were 68 fires on the island burning 199 hectares and 22 fires in Labrador burning 4032 hectares.

While the area burned is up from the 322 hectares in 2019, 4,030 hectares (95 per cent) of the area burned in the province in 2020 was the result of lightning in remote areas of Labrador that did not require sustained fire suppression action. Totals for 2020 are also below the previous provincial ten-year average of 109 fires and 30,655 hectares burned.

During the 2020 fire season there were 79 forest fire fighters and eight student fire fighters on staff. The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture also assisted with fire suppression efforts in other parts of the country as part of a Mutual Aid Resource Sharing Agreement in place between the province and other forest fire fighting agencies. In June, the province provided two water bombers to New Brunswick for 13 days and two water bombers and forest fire fighting staff to Parks Canada to assist with fires in Labrador.

Despite challenges associated with COVID-19, the department worked with six FireSmart Canada Community Preparedness Day grant recipients to support activities that help reduce the risk of wildfire damage to cottages, homes and neighborhoods. These include Corner Brook, Indian Bay, Woody Point, Roddickton-Bide Arm, Bishop’s Falls Fire Department and Sheaves Cove Recreation Committee.

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“The continued reduction in the number of forest fires caused by people is encouraging news. We all have a duty to act responsibly when in our forests and I commend residents for their ongoing vigilance. This positive trend is also a testament to the wildfire safety and prevention efforts of forest protection staff. Our collective actions will help ensure our forests are protected for the people who make their living from our woods, and all who enjoy and appreciate everything this vast and renewable natural wonder has to offer.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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Learn more
Forest Fire Season 2020

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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca