Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
October 7, 2024
Atlantic Wildfire Centre to Provide Leadership and Expertise in Wildfire Fighting, Training and Prevention
Newfoundland and Labrador is taking the lead to establish a world-class Atlantic Wildfire Centre in Central Newfoundland that will strengthen and enhance efforts to protect Atlantic Canada’s communities and forests. Additionally, related initiatives will be supported in part through a $32 million cost-shared, four-year investment in partnership with Natural Resources Canada under the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate (FMWCC) Equipment Fund.
The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, and Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, were in Gander today to provide details on the Atlantic Wildfire Centre and related infrastructure investments. They were joined by the Honourable Fred Hutton, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Rural Economic Development, and the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and MHA for Gander.
Located at Gander International Airport, the Atlantic Wildfire Centre will provide leadership and expertise in wildfire fighting and prevention, focusing on:
Specialized Wildfire Management Expertise: Housing dedicated specialists whose primary role is wildfire management.
Applied Science and Data Localization: Adapting new innovations, such as drone technology, and national and international research to local conditions.
Training and Education Programs: Focusing on wildfire management and suppression, wildfire prevention and mitigation, and aerial operations.
Wildfire Response and Service Delivery: Increasing capacity to manage wildfire and respond to major incidents.
Wildfire Management and Training Facilities: Building and expanding infrastructure, including facilities for air crews, incident command operations, and equipment storage in Labrador. The joint investment through the FMWCC includes:
The Government of Newfounland and Labrador will also issue a Request for Proposals for the design concept for the Atlantic Wildlife Centre campus and related infrastructure at Gander International Airport.
Newfoundland and Labrador has the largest forest landscape in Atlantic Canada, with many communities located in the heart of fire-driven ecosystems where wildfires occur consistently, especially in Labrador and Central Newfoundland. The province has a culture of fire-prevention that has been established for generations and a wealth of experience fighting large wildfires.
The province maintains the most substantial aerial wildfire suppression resources in Atlantic Canada, with Central Newfoundland serving as an ideal location for the Atlantic Wildfire Centre. The region has an established combination of infrastructure, strategic location, professional staffing, private sector and community partners at Gander International Airport, and training supports are in place at the existing Forest Fire Protection Centre in Gander.
Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador’s wildland fire suppression crews work bravely, diligently, and relentlessly to protect the province’s forests, and communities. We must do everything in our power to support those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our forests and communities, including providing the best training and equipment available. Nothing less is acceptable. The Atlantic Wildfire Centre will support Canadians in facing the challenges of wildfire management and delivering effective wildfire management and emergency responses to protect the region’s forests, communities, and people.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The federal government is urgently working to respond to wildfires that are increasing in frequency and severity across Canada by providing provinces with the support they need. Today’s announcement with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador highlights our commitment to working together to mitigate and respond to wildfires through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program. Through tangible and fast-flowing funding, the Government of Canada is helping to prepare urgently for future challenges and keep Canadians safe.”
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“Canadians from coast to coast to coast have felt the effects of a changing climate, and wildfires burning with greater intensity is one of them. The health and safety of Canadians is a top priority for the Government of Canada and that is why we will continue to provide the support needed to mitigate and respond to wildfires. I am pleased that today’s announced funding through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program will support the efforts in the province in fire management for this wildfire season and seasons to come.”
Yvonne Jones
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and the Minister of National Defence
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“In the face of three recent major wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as deployments to aid other jurisdictions in need through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, our wildfire suppression crews and resources have done us proud. With strategic investment in wildland fire management and training, we will increase wildland firefighting capacity, enhance training, purchase vital equipment, and improve our understanding of fire science. The Atlantic Wildfire Centre will make Newfoundland and Labrador a world leader in forest protection.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
“We have a great team in place doing incredible work in our Air Services Division and in the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. Together, they provide an exceptionally valuable service to the people of our province. This centre is a means of honouring their service by providing them with the supports, training and equipment required for their continued fire suppression efforts.”
Honourable Fred Hutton
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Rural Economic Development
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and MHA for Gander
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
Linda Skinner
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2284
[email protected]
