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CTV News
12 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Miramichi-area wildfire grows to 1,120 hectares overnight
A wildfire in the Miramichi area is pictured on Aug. 10, 2025. (Source: N.B. DNR) A wildfire in the Miramichi, N.B., area has doubled in size, growing from 687 hectares to 1,120 hectares overnight. A wildfire near Moncton is also still out of control, but it remains at 45 hectares, according to the public fires dashboard. The New Brunswick government reported a third out-of-control wildfire in the Bathurst region on Monday, but that fire is now contained at 1.1 hectares. There are about 12 wildfires burning in the province Tuesday morning, but only the Miramichi and Moncton-area fires are considered out of control. 'The wildfire situation in New Brunswick has gotten worse since we were sitting here on Saturday,' Holt said during a news conference on Monday. '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.' More resources expected to battle wildfire Additional resources are expected to land in the province Tuesday to help crews battle the Miramichi-area wildfire, or Oldfield Road Fire, which first broke out last Wednesday. '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 Natural Resource Minister John Herron during Monday's news conference. Nova Scotia is sending 20 firefighters to New Brunswick while P.E.I. and Maine are each sending five firefighters to the province. The City of Miramichi says air attack helicopters will be carrying water buckets for 'precision drops' and a Canadair CL-415, a large water bomber plane with a scoop to pick up water, will also be assisting in the firefighting efforts Tuesday. The Miramichi Professional Firefighters Association says the planes will be scooping water from the Miramichi River, likely somewhere between Middle Island and Sheldrake Island. 'Be aware and give them a wide berth, we will be on the water today to make sure they have the space to safely operate,' said the association in a Facebook post. The province announced Monday that all Department of Natural Resources offices are now closed so personnel, many of which are trained firefighters, can focus their energy on the firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, s section of Highway 8 remains closed between Route 450 and Oldfield Road. Russellville Road and McHardy Road are also closed, with traffic being diverted towards Neguac. Heat warnings and cooling station Heat warnings remain in effect in the Miramichi area, where maximum daytime temperatures are expected to reach 33 to 36 degrees, though it will feel more like 38 to 42 degrees with the humidex. Temperatures will feel a bit cooler along the coast. A minimum overnight temperature of 20 degrees is expected. Environment Canada says the period of hot, humid weather will extend into Wednesday. To help residents beat the heat, the city has opened a cooling station in the lobby of the Miramichi Eco-Centre/Curling Club on Cove Road. Air quality statement An air quality statement is also in effect for the Miramichi area as the smoke from the wildfire causes poor air quality and reduced visibility. 'Smoke from a local wildfire is reducing air quality in these areas and downwind. Local smoke concentrations will vary with small changes to wind speed or direction,' said Environment Canada. 'People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.' Environment Canada says health risks increase as smoke levels increase and residents should consider limiting they amount of time spent outdoors. 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 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.' Other wildfires According to the public fires dashboard, the following fires were burning in New Brunswick as of 11:15 a.m. Tuesday: Oldfield Road – out of control Irishtown – out of control Wedge Extension Road – contained Slash - contained Lavillette – being patrolled Black River – being patrolled Gray Road – being patrolled Plumweseep Cross – being patrolled Post – being patrolled Lauvina Road - being patrolled Smithfield road - being patrolled For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
10 wildfires burning, two out of control in New Brunswick
New Brunswick's Department of Natural Resources shared pictures Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 of a wildfire burning out of control near Canterbury. (Source: N.B. DNR) Two wildfires are burning out of control in New Brunswick. As of Sunday morning, New Brunswick's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the Miramichi area fire, which is being called the Oldfield Road fire, and another wildfire near Canterbury are considered out of control. DNR said one home and three cottages were put under evacuation order Saturday night due to the Miramichi area fire.' Additionally, 15 homes have been notified regarding a possible evacuation alert in the event the fire continues to move in their direction,' said DNR in an update Sunday. DNR was unable to measure the size of the Miramichi fire Sunday due to 'smoke reducing visibility.' However, it did note the fire jumped Highway 8 and burned about 20 hectares. Miramichi wildfire A wildfire is pictured in the Miramichi area of New Brunswick. (Source: Facebook/Bill Pitre) The Miramichi fire had grown significantly between Friday and Saturday. On Friday, it was 65 hectares. By Saturday morning it had grown to 160 hectares and by the afternoon it was 240 hectares. The wildfire broke out Wednesday and was initially estimated to be around 20 hectares. 'This situation can change by the hour,' Natural Resources Minister John Herron said Saturday. Highway 8 between Route 450 and McHardy Road remained closed as of Sunday. The cause of the Miramichi area fire is unknown at this time. Slash fire The other out of control wildfire is burning near Canterbury, which is in York County. DNR is calling it the 'Slash fire.' It said it is currently five hectares in size and is about 15 per cent contained. Forty firefighters and three dozers are working to get the fire under control, said DNR. A dozer guard is also being built and 'air attack will be sent as needed.' Canterbury Wildfire New Brunswick's Department of Natural Resources shared pictures Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 of a wildfire burning out of control near Canterbury. (Source: N.B. DNR) Other wildfires On Sunday, DNR said there are currently 10 wildfires burning in New Brunswick. It said there were no reports of any new starts as of 10 a.m. Three of the fires are under control and five are being patrolled, which DNR said is the 'last step before being considered out.' 'This is a serious situation,' said Herron. 'Going back to data as far back as to 1986, we have not had a drying situation as severe as we have today.' On Saturday, the province said there had been 222 fires. Last year, there were 215. 'We can get from a spark to a serious fire event very, very quickly,' said Herron. 'Stay out of the woods' On Saturday, New Brunswick announced it 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 such time the forest fire risk decreases 'This is an unprecedented situation, and it is getting worse. So, we're here on a Saturday afternoon to ask all New Brunswickers to get out of the woods and to stay out of the woods,' said Premier Susan Holt during a news conference Saturday. NB fire vehicle A provincial fire vehicle is pictured near a wildfire in Miramichi on Aug. 7, 2025. (Derek Haggett/CTV Atlantic) Officials are also asking people to take the same precautions on private land. The province did not announce an increase in fines for those deemed to be breaking the rules. Officials said the current fine under the Crown Lands and Forests Act is $140 plus a surcharge for a total of $172.50. There is also a provision if someone is found responsible for causing a fire. They would be responsible for the cost of putting the fire out for a maximum fine of $250,000. 'Right now, we are really hoping at the end of all this, we will have issued zero fines,' said Holt. She noted the issue of fines could be revisited is New Brunswickers do not follow the rules. A provincewide burn ban remains in effect. Hot and smoky As of Sunday morning, the Miramichi area was under both a heat warning and a special air quality advisory. Environment Canada issued the air quality advisory Saturday, saying smoke from nearby wildfires is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility. 'People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms,' said the advisory. Environment Canada said mild symptoms can include: eye, nose and throat irritation headaches mild cough More serious but less common symptoms include: wheezing chest pains severe cough Generally light southwesterly winds are expected Sunday. Environment Canada said local smoke concentrations will vary with small changes to wind speed or direction. A heat warning is also in effect with hot weather expected Sunday through Wednesday. Environment Canada said maximum daytime temperatures are expected in the range of 30 to 34 C feeling like 38 to 42 with the humidex. Overnight lows will be near 18 C. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Crews getting wildfire in Miramichi area under control as dry conditions persist
Social Sharing A wildfire reported Wednesday near Miramichi was close to being under control Thursday afternoon, according to New Brunswick Wildfire Management. Tony Cole said no structures were at risk from on Oldfield Road, about 16 kilometres north of Miramichi, a spokesperson for the wildfire branch. At its largest, the fire spanned about 35 hectares, but had been reduced to about 22 hectares when Cole spoke to CBC News. "We're making good progress on the fire," he said. "We're almost the whole way around it with the hose line." WATCH | Wind, humidity key factors in wildfire risk: How does N.B. establish wildfire risk? 43 minutes ago There is currently no threat to private property, residents or businesses in the area. The Miramichi Fire Department said crews responded to the fire at about 3 p.m. Wednesday and continued to fight the flames into Thursday morning. "The fire did burn through a hydro line but there was no damage to infrastructure," the department said in an emailed statement. Cole said that until a hose line could reach all the way around the fire, it would be considered out of control by the Department of Natural Resources. Because firefighters already had hoses surrounding the fire, Cole expected it to be under control within hours. "Activity is definitely reduced, and we are getting a good handle on it." Wildfire numbers high Although wildfires of this size are expected, given the dry and hot conditions, Cole said it is uncommon for the Maritime provinces to experience high numbers of wildfires. "Typically, we get lots of moisture off the ocean and high humidity because we are a coastal Maritime province. This drying trend seems to be a little bit out of the norm for us." New Brunswick is under a provincewide burn ban to prevent fires from starting and spreading. Cole advised people to be cautious and vigilant during outdoor activities while the extremely hot and dry conditions continue. With a hot and windy weekend approaching, he said a fire can spread in seconds. "With a little bit of wind, [a fire] can happen very quickly in these dry conditions," he said.
