The increased risk of wildfire due to extreme draught caused by hotter, drier summers is a growing concern in Nova Scotia, particularly in the area of the Acadia First Nation. A wildfire risk assessment, conducted in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, found that three of Acadia First Nation's member communities are at extreme risk of wildfire. This project will create three 10 to 30-metre fire breaks surrounding the communities. These fire breaks will create an increase time for emergency response in case of fire and decrease the risk of fire spread to other communities.
The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq and Acadia First Nation communities continue to make headway on the fire break development planning with work to begin on the fire breaks in the Spring of 2023. To gather further data, a FireSmartTM Community Wildfire Risk Assessment for the area will be completed to assist with focus of work. To bring awareness to the project and to educate the community, a social media and print campaign has been developed. The goal of the campaign is to also encourage members of the community to join the Acadia First Nation Wildfire Resilience Committee.
