Canada and New Brunswick Invest $40 Million to Strengthen Wildfire Management

Canada and New Brunswick are committing $40 million over four years to enhance wildfire management through two key programs: the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program (FMWCC) – Equipment Fund and the Resilient Communities through FireSmart (RCF) Program, according to the Government of Canada.

Both governments will contribute $12.8 million each to the FMWCC – Equipment Fund, which will help purchase essential firefighting equipment, including tanks, pumps, drones, trucks, and heavy machinery, along with upgrades to existing tools. Additionally, $7.25 million from each government will support the RCF Program, focusing on wildfire prevention through risk assessments, vegetation management, and community education.

As part of the investment, New Brunswick will establish a dedicated indigenous firefighting team to enhance local response capabilities and assist other regions during peak wildfire seasons. The province will also apply FireSmart practices, conduct a comprehensive wildfire risk analysis, and implement a province-wide prevention strategy.

The FMWCC – Equipment Fund, launched by Natural Resources Canada in 2022, supports provincial and territorial firefighting efforts by funding essential equipment and training. The FireSmart program, managed by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, provides communities with resources and strategies to improve wildfire resilience nationwide.