Firebreaks are one line of defense against wildfires, and after a devastating 2025 wildfire season in NL, the Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands says it is considering adding more.
"The new government is committed to helping ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians live in safe communities," said Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands media relations manager Linda Skinner. "Government is reviewing plans for combating wildfires for next season and will consider future fire breaks."
Firebreaks aren't cheap: NL's firebreaks in 2025 alone cost $701,474.95, consisting of four on the Kingston fire and six on the Paddy's Pond fire.
During his recent campaign, PC Premier Tony Wakeham pledged to strengthen wildfire protection services across the province, including training and equipment for firefighters, doubling volunteer firefighter and search and rescue tax credits, maintaining a fully operational and staffed fleet of water bombers, hiring 50 more wildland firefighters, and recruiting wildland firefighters four weeks earlier.
On Nov. 20, Justice Minister Helen Conway Ottenheimer reiterated the pledge, adding that the repair of the province's fifth waterbomber was a priority. A contract valued at $14.8 million was awarded to De Havilland Aircraft of Canada for the repair work last April, with repairs expected to be complete in time for the waterbomber to be in service for the 2026-27 fire season.
The primary purpose of firebreaks is to remove fuel and slow the intensity and spread of a fire in "high-priority" zones.
Firebreaks protect not only homes, but ecosystems and wildlife habitats, including soil stabilization, erosion prevention, and reduced risk of landslides.
They also protect the planet as a whole by limiting the release of stored greenhouse gases and, in turn, the impacts of climate change.
A secondary function is to provide safer, more effective zones in which firefighters operate.
The goal of a firebreak is achieved by removing or reducing trees — particularly those on slopes — and dense vegetation. Branches within two metres of the ground are also pruned or removed to prevent a wildfire from climbing vertically.
The process requires maintenance for a lasting effect and typically doesn't extend to the 10-year mark.
These strategies can be integrated with others, such as fire-resistant landscaping, incorporation of fire-adapted vegetation, and constructed barriers.
Firebreaks are typically anywhere from three to 20 metres in size, but in some cases, can constitute a simple, narrow trail, or a wide corridor as long as one kilometre, according to Partners for Action, Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo.
Despite their usefulness, they're not always the best option.
"The use of fire breaks depends on fire conditions at the time, such as rate and direction of spread, fuel types, local geographic features, and values at risk," explained Skinner.
While firebreaks can reduce erosion, there is also a chance of increasing it, given that tree and vegetation removal can expose soil.
This could be especially pronounced in NL, given its typical tendency for heavy rainfall and, in some parts of the province, steep slopes.
Erosion can be minimized with drainage infrastructure or fire-resistant vegetation, and by following best infrastructure guidelines.
Similar to erosion, while firebreaks can protect biodiversity and wildlife habitats, the clearing process also inevitably reduces it.
Local cooling effects, air quality benefits, and urban tree canopy goals can also suffer. There's also a loss of green space and the resulting unattractive aesthetic, which in turn can impact the mental and physical health of residents.
Eight firebreaks are present in NL, including two recently constructed in Burnt Point and Salmon Cove after the Kingston fire.
The six remaining were constructed in North West River (2012), Wabush (2013), Sheshatshiu (2021), Grand-Falls Windsor (2022), Labrador City (2024), and Churchill Falls (2024).