New Brunswick’s record wildfires are reshaping forests, benefiting species like black-backed woodpeckers while threatening warblers and thrushes.
Record Fires Transforming Ecosystems
New Brunswick has already faced more than 300 wildfires in 2025, burning over 2,500 hectares, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The surge marks a 1,239 per cent increase in area burned compared to last year, with major consequences for the province’s Acadian forest.
Bird Species Respond in Different Ways
Researchers say the fires are creating ecological winners and losers. Black-backed woodpeckers are thriving, drawn to burned areas filled with deadwood and insects. Their abandoned nesting cavities also provide shelter for chickadees, nuthatches, and bluebirds. Meanwhile, species that need dense or shrubby habitats—such as the Canada warbler, wood thrush, and Bicknell’s thrush—are struggling as fires erase their forest cover.
Why Fires Matter for Biodiversity
Wildfires, though destructive, play a natural role in forest renewal by clearing underbrush and opening habitat. Experts note this process can boost biodiversity in the long term. But today’s fires often burn hotter and reach forest canopies, making recovery slower and more uncertain than in the past.
Risks for Nesting and Migration
Conservationists warn that some birds die when fires strike during nesting season, with eggs or chicks unable to escape. Thick smoke can also hinder foraging and disrupt migration, adding to the challenges for vulnerable populations already under pressure.
Controlled Burns as a Solution
To limit wildfire damage, experts recommend prescribed fires—small, controlled burns that clear dry vegetation before it becomes fuel for massive blazes. As of early September, 23 prescribed fires have been recorded in Canada this year, covering nearly 1,800 hectares, including two active burns managed by Parks Canada.
Looking Ahead for Forests and Birds
The Acadian forest, once considered fire-resistant, is now experiencing unprecedented changes. For some birds, burned landscapes offer new opportunities; for others, survival grows harder with every blaze. Scientists stress that balancing wildfire risk with ecological renewal will shape the future of both forests and the species that call them home.
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