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CTV News
30 minutes ago
- CTV News
New Brunswick reporting 34 active wildfires; seven out of control
A fire burns in the Miramichi-area of New Brunswick on Aug. 12, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / New Brunswick Government) The number of active wildfires in New Brunswick has decreased to 34 Sunday. As of 11:15 a.m., the province says 15 of the 37 fires are being patrolled, two are under control, five are contained, right are being monitored, and the following seven are out of control: 208 - Old Field Road 250 - Chief's 273 – Lovalls Lake 256- Beaver Lake Stream 265 – Bear Landing 269 - Moose Brook 2 281 No structures have been lost and there have been no serious injuries, though about seven firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion. Oldfield Road fire As of 11:15 a.m., the Oldfield Road fire in the Miramichi area is estimated at 1,402 hectares. The fire first started on Aug. 6. Wildfire status When wildfires burn the following terms are used to describe their status: out of control – still spreading and not contained being monitored – a known, out of control fire that is not immediately threatening life or infrastructure, monitored by aircraft or satellite with no resources currently assigned contained – surrounded by barriers, such as lakes, roads, and fire lines, but still burning and could spread under control – surrounded and stable; low activity, minimal risk of escape being patrolled – contained with little to no fire activity; crews monitoring hotspots out – fully extinguished; no smoke for at least 24 hours fire of note – a fire requiring significant resources or threatening homes or critical infrastructure Evacuations As of Sunday morning, the evacuation advisory for people in Lavillette has been lifted. Residents are advised to review their evacuation plans and make sure their emergency preparedness kits are ready. The kit should include necessities for at least 72 hours, such as: water food flashlight radio batteries first aid masks (for smoke filtration) prescription medications pet food 'Wildfires can move quickly, and not everyone may be able to get information or leave safely on their own. During an evacuation, take a moment to check on those around you,' reads a news release from the government. 'Lend a hand where you can, and have your own plan ready to go.' Alert system The City of Miramichi is asking residents to register for Voyent Alerts to stay informed during the wildfire. Voyent Alert is a 'community communication and notification system designed to provide Miramichi residents with timely, location-based alerts for both critical emergencies and everyday updates,' according to the website. Residents can register online. Advisory vs alert The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization wants to make sure residents understand the difference between two different terms – evacuation advisory and evacuation alert. 'Evacuation advisory - Be ready to leave on short notice. Pack essentials (ID, medication, pets, emergency kit) and be prepared to go quickly if conditions change,' reads a post on social media from the organization. 'Evacuation alert - Leave immediately. This means the wildfire poses an imminent risk. Follow the instructions in the Alert Ready notification and go to the designated safe location. Staying informed helps you act quickly and safely.' Water conservation The City of Miramichi is urging residents to conserve water by: avoiding washing vehicles, watering lawns, or filling pools using appliances only with full loads taking short showers installing low-flow faucets where possible repairing plumbing leaks promptly Air Quality Environment Canada has issued an air quality statement for the Miramichi area as smoke from the wildfire reduces local air quality. Air quality issues can cause eye or throat irritation and shortness of breath. The city says to contact a physician or Tele-Care 811 is symptoms worsen and to call 911 if you are in severe distress. Vulnerable groups include: infants children pregnant women older adults smokers people with chronic heart/lung disease Wildlife The province is warning residents that the fires are pushing wildlife into unfamiliar areas. 'For your own protection, do not approach or feed wild animals. Drive cautiously near fire zones to avoid collisions, especially with moose, deer, and bears,' reads a social media post by the province. If large or dangerous wildlife is spotted near homes or roads the province asks residents to call DNR at 1-833-301-0334. Woods and fire bans in effect A provincewide burn ban is in effect and all Crown lands are closed. Residents are not allowed to hike, camp, fish or use vehicles in the woods at this time, and all trail systems through the woods are off-limits. Camping is only allowed in official campgrounds, but the province is asking people to reconsider their camping plans until the forest fire risk decreases. Private property owners are being encouraged to follow the same restrictions. Forestry operations such as harvesting, forwarding, skidding, scarification, chipping and all pre-commercial thinning and cleaning, are also prohibited. 'This is for your safety, the safety of your communities and the safety of firefighters putting their lives on the line,' said Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin during Monday's news conference. 'Please remain outside the forests, we can't repeat it enough.' In Miramichi, the city has closed the following trails: French Fort Cove Millbank Nature Trails Morrison Cove Trails The province is 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 New Brunswick Premier Susan 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.' -With files from CTV News Atlantic's Melanie Price For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CBC
34 minutes ago
- CBC
Wildfire that forced hundreds to flee on Vancouver Island now under control
Social Sharing A wildfire burning northwest of Nanaimo that had forced hundreds to flee is now under control, while crews are making progress on another blaze southwest of that city. The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) announced Saturday evening that crews made significant progress in fighting the Wesley Ridge wildfire burning on the north banks of Cameron Lake, about 50 kilometres northwest of Nanaimo in southeast Vancouver Island. Firefighters are still in the area patrolling and extinguishing hot spots, according to the BCWS. In total, the fire burned nearly six square kilometres of land and was previously listed as being held. At its peak, nearly 400 properties were under evacuation order due to the fire, and hundreds more were on evacuation alert, which meant residents had to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Mount Underwood fire still burning As of 7:20 a.m. PT on Sunday, there are 75 wildfires currently burning in British Columbia, four of which are out of control. One of those is the Mount Underwood fire burning just south of Port Alberni, B.C., which is further south of the Wesley Ridge blaze. The Mount Underwood fire grew aggressively after it was first detected last Monday, and currently covers an area of 36 square kilometres, burning around eight kilometres south of Port Alberni. That community has been on edge since the fire first started, but officials said Saturday that the fire received more than 30 millimetres of rain on Friday, and fire activity had been reduced as a result. Evacuation orders and alerts are still in place related to the fire, including the order for the China Creek campground and the alert for parts of the Cameron Heights neighbourhood on the southern edge of the City of Port Alberni. The fire has cut off access to the remote community of Bamfield south of Port Alberni, as well as knocked out power to 500 B.C. Hydro customers in the area. On Saturday, the utility said it began work to restore power, but said full repairs could take up to two weeks. The provincial power provider said the work will include replacing 56 power poles and 70 spans of power line – roughly 20 kilometres in total.
CBC
34 minutes ago
- CBC
Evacuation advisory lifted for Lavillette residents as nearby fire contained
Lavillette residents can now unpack their bags after the province ended an evacuation advisory Sunday morning. Residents in the northeastern New Brunswick community, located about 20 kilometres northwest of Esgenoôpetitj First Nation, had been on alert since Friday that they could be asked to leave on short notice. An 8.5-hectare fire located south of the community continues to burn. It is considered contained "within a bulldozed break or wet line," according to the province, but it is still possible for the fire to escape. As of 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, the Department of Natural Resources reported 34 active fires burning across the province. Seven of these are classified to be out of control. The Oldfield Road fire, near Miramichi, remains the largest fire at 1,402 hectares. A fire in Northumberland County, called the Chief's fire, has more than doubled in size over the last 24 hours. It is now 128 hectares. Another 100-hectare fire called the Beaver Lake Stream fire, also in Northumberland County, continues to burn out of control. A 120-hectare fire in Gloucester County falls under the same classification. Environment Canada has only issued an air quality statement for Miramichi and area due to wildfire smoke, but EMO is investigating reports of smoke as they get them. The Oromocto Fire Department said in a Facebook post on Saturday that it and other fire departments in the region, including Harvey and Upper Kingsclear, are receiving a high number of smoke-related calls. EMO requests members of the public not to fly drones above or around the fire zones. The weather could help with firefighting efforts today. There are some showers and thundershowers in the forecast. Showers will start early in the northwest and move eastward during the afternoon, according to Environment Canada. The day's high will be between 24 and 28 C. Rain is expected to end late Sunday night with a low of 8 C.
