Natural Resources
October 5, 2012

Provincial Forest Fire Numbers Higher in 2012

The hot, dry weather enjoyed by residents of Newfoundland and Labrador meant a higher than usual incidence of forest fires during the 2012 forest fire season.

“The warm temperatures and lack of precipitation created ideal conditions for forest fires with staff responding to 197 forest fires between May and September,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. “This was a busier than usual season, especially in Labrador. In some instances new fire starts were reported daily. Our fire fighters, permanent staff, Incident Management Team, Air Services pilots and maintenance crews are to be commended for their tremendous efforts.”

The official forest fire season began on the island on May 1 and in Labrador on May 15. The season ended in both regions on September 30. During that period 137,543 hectares of forest land was burned, including 2,463 hectares on the island and 135,080 in Labrador.

In May, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) requested the department to assist in a fire situation in Ontario. In response, two CL 415 water bombers were deployed, the first on May 5 for two weeks and the second on August 20 for 12 days. Newfoundland and Labrador is a member of CIFFC, which coordinates fire control services through the Mutual Aid Resources Sharing (MARS) Agreement.

The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for forest fire suppression on all forest land within the province except on federal lands which is the responsibility of Parks Canada staff. In the case of federal lands, the province does provide support when requested.

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Media contact:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca 

2012 10 05                            10:35 a.m.