Three wildfires are now burning out of control in New Brunswick.
In addition to the Miramichi-area and Irishtown wildfires, an out-of-control wildfire is now also burning in the Bathurst region, said Premier Susan Holt during a news conference Monday afternoon.
“The wildfire situation in New Brunswick has gotten worse since we were sitting here on Saturday,” said Holt.
“This is a scary time for our province and I want to reassure folks that our entire team … we are doing everything possible to protect you and your communities and our forests.”
Natural Resource Minister John Herron said the Bathurst-area wildfire started Monday afternoon, but he wasn’t certain of its size.
He did say water bombers have dropped water on the fire and he’s “optimistic” firefighters will be able to get hold of it.
About a dozen wildfires were burning in New Brunswick Monday morning but most were considered contained.
Oldfield Road fire
Meanwhile, Herron said the Oldfield Road fire in the Miramichi area has grown to 687 hectares.
“At the moment we are unable to get in front of that fire, but we do have the capacity to help steer it, steer it away from people,” said Herron during the news conference.
The Miramichi-area wildfire has grown significantly since it first broke out Wednesday. On Friday it was 65 hectares, by Saturday morning it had grown to 160 hectares and by the afternoon it was 240 hectares.
It was 340 hectares as of Monday morning and grew to 450 hectares Monday afternoon. By Monday evening, the fire was at 687 hectares, according to New Brunswick’s public fires dashboard.
One home and three cottages were put under an evacuation order Saturday night while residents in 15 other homes were warned they may have to evacuate.
Highway 8 between Route 450 and McHardy Road remains closed Monday afternoon.
Brad Connell, an Oldfield Road resident, says he’s roughly 10 kilometres from the fire.
“It’s definitely concerning,” he said. “There seems to be no end to it. I’m hoping it gets a little bit under control at some point.”
CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell says the high temperature for the Miramichi area is likely to approach 35 C on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Environment Canada is also cautioning of a moderate health risk when it comes to air quality where that smoke is present near the surface.
Irishtown fire
The Moncton-area wildfire that broke out Sunday grew from 30 to 54 hectares Monday.
Herron said as many as 900 structures and 1,500 people could be affected by the fire.
People in the Irishtown, Tankville, Evangeline and Lakeville areas have been told to be prepared to evacuate on short notice.
“All New Brunswickers should have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit. If you don’t have one, make one,” said Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin during Monday’s news conference.
“Remember that the crucial part of being prepared is being informed.”
GoodLife Fitness said Monday that any residents displaced by the wildfire can use the bathroom and shower facilities at any of its three Moncton locations.
“The clubs will remain available to evacuees as long as needed,” said GoodLife in a statement.
Meanwhile, firefighters returned to the scene Monday morning.
Moncton Fire Department Platoon Chief Jamie Rooney said firefighters from the city as well as the Department of Natural Resources were fighting the forest fire several kilometres down MacArthur Lane.
Water bombers flew over the area for most of the day Sunday.
Rooney said they got the initial call to the heavily wooded area at 1:20 p.m. on Sunday.
“Upon arrival they found heavy fire,” said Rooney.
Firefighters from Dieppe and Riverview were called in to assist the operation.
The operation was halted at nightfall, but firefighters were back at the scene at 6 a.m. Rooney said.
“We sent another 15 firefighters there this morning and we plan on being there until 9 o’clock again,” he said. “The fire is ongoing.”
Boil-water order in Moncton neighbourhood
A boil-water order has been issued for Elmwood Drive in Moncton due to firefighting efforts.
According to a news release from the city, the order was issued as a result of high water flows in the area that resulted in “high turbidity levels.”
It specifically affects residents on Elmwood Drive, north of the Trans-Canada Highway, as well as Granite Drive, the Royal Oaks Subdivision, and civic addresses including and above 759 Elmwood Dr.
An advisory will be issued when the boil-water advisory is rescinded, the city said.
Help on the way
Herron said the province has reached out to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre to request additional resources and firefighting personnel and several provinces have answered their call for help.
Herron said 20 firefighters are coming from Nova Scotia, five are coming from P.E.I. and five are coming from Maine. They are expected to start arriving Monday night.
“To reiterate the severity of the current wildfire situation, for the first time in New Brunswick history, we have requested help from our neighbours,” said Herron. “We’ve always been a good partner to other provinces and territories, and even to other countries, when they needed it.”
Herron noted a number of Department of Natural Resources personnel also happen to be trained firefighters, so DNR offices are closed as of 4:30 p.m. Monday, so staff can focus their energy on the firefighting efforts.
‘Stay out of the woods’
Holt, Herron and Gauvin again urged New Brunswickers on Monday not to enter the woods after Saturday’s announcement that the province would be closing access to Crown lands due to an “extreme wildfire hazard.”
The closures came into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. This means:
- hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods are not permitted
- trail systems through woods are off limits
- camping is allowed only in campgrounds, but the public is being asked to reconsider their camping plans until the forest fire risk decreases
Officials are also asking people to take the same precautions on private land.
“This is for your safety, the safety of your communities and the safety of firefighters putting their lives on the line,” said Gauvin. “Please remain outside the forests, we can’t repeat it enough.”
They are also urging residents to stay away from the wildfires and give the firefighters space to do their jobs.
“Now is not the time for fire tourism,” said Holt. “There have been people who have wanted to get that great picture for social media, but we need to keep our roads and our emergency areas as clear as possible.”
A provincewide burn also ban remains in effect.
Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton trails closed
The cities of Fredericton and Saint John are also taking steps to prevent wildfires.
All trails at Odell and Killarney Lake Park in Fredericton are closed. The closure does not apply to the beach and lake at Killarney Lake.
Saint John has closed all walking and biking trails at Rockwood Park, Tucker Park and Little River Reservoir. The Irving Nature Park is also closed.
In Moncton, the Irishtown Nature Park, Mapleton Park, Centennial Park Trails and the Riverfront Trail between the West Main traffic circle and the Gunningsville Bridge are closed.
The Crossman Community Centre-Kay Arena in Moncton is closed to provide lodging for wildfire personnel.
Slash fire contained
Meanwhile, the Slash fire near Canterbury in York County has been contained.
It was five hectares in size and about 15 per cent contained on Sunday.
As of Monday morning it was listed as contained and 10 hectares.
Other wildfires
The public fires dashboard lists all other wildfires burning in the province as being patrolled, which is the last step before being considered out:
- The Lavillette fire in Northumberland County
- The Tweedie Brook and Bouctouche River fires in Kent County
- The Smithfield Road fire in York County
- The Northside and Green Drive fires in Sunbury County
- Trail fourty three fire in Queens County
- Brittain Road fire in Kings County
- Bloomfield Station fire in Saint John County
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Derek Haggett, Stephanie Tsicos and Jennifer Heudes.
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