Latest news with #NewBrunwickers
Global News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Global News
Extreme wildfire risk prompts closure of all Crown land in New Brunswick
Extreme wildfire risk has motivated the New Brunswick government to close all Crown land to the public. As of 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, government officials said extremely dry and dangerous conditions mean that all industrial and recreational activities on Crown land are prohibited. Officials are encouraging private landowners to do the same. 'We are in an unprecedented situation and it is getting worse,' Premier Susan Holt told reporters in Fredericton on Saturday. 'We are here to ask all New Brunwickers to get out of the woods and to stay out of the woods.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We are here to ask all New Brunwickers to get out of the woods and to stay out of the woods." Anyone camping on Crown land on Saturday is urged to leave by midnight. In addition, people are being asked to avoid using private wood lots and wood roads. Story continues below advertisement 2:04 East Coast provinces crack down on wildfire prevention The restrictions on Crown land include: Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods is not permitted Trail systems through woods are off-limits Camping is allowed only in campgrounds, but the public is being asked to reconsider their plans until the fire risk decreases Holt said she realizes there are some people who may not like the government's latest action, but she stressed it's meant to ensure safety and preserve the province's forests. 'I know it sucks, but thank you for understanding,' the premier said. The government said a section of Highway 8 near Miramichi is closed between Route 450 and McHardy Road. Russelville Road and McHardy Road are also closed and traffic is being diverted towards Neguac. Story continues below advertisement There are 12 wildfires burning in New Brunswick, as of Aug. 9. The current burn ban remains in place for the entire province, including all provincial parks. A provincewide burn ban is also in effect on Prince Edward Island, while Nova Scotia has imposed a sweeping ban on activities in wooded areas. Meanwhile, three ongoing fires in Newfoundland have forced hundreds of people to evacuate their communities. Two are on the Avalon Peninsula in the Conception Bay North area and to the south near Holyrood. A third fire in central Newfoundland, south of Bishop's Falls, was reported on Tuesday afternoon. — With files from The Canadian Press
CBC
05-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
What to know about N.B. Power's right to install a smart meter on your home
N.B. Power is asking for New Brunwickers to treat the utility's employees better after a worker was allegedly assaulted in Cap-Pelé, and as telephone support workers face verbal abuse. "Following Thursday's social media post, feedback from smart meter installers indicates that customers are more polite and respectful today," N.B Power spokesperson Elizabeth Fraser said in an emailed statement. "We would like to remind the public to be kind — violence and aggressive behaviour is not the answer." Nicole Poirier, vice-president of operations for N.B. Power, said much of the public's animosity is targeted toward the new smart meters. N.B. Power installed the meters as part of an effort to modernize — they allow the utility to access a home's energy usage remotely — but some customers have recently blamed the meters for sudden increases in power bills this year. At a legislature committee earlier this year, N.B. Power executives said that increased power usage had likely been caused by colder weather, increased power rates and a longer billing period but they couldn't explain anecdotes of anomalies. With people expressing anger about the meters, what rights do homeowners have if N.B. Power workers come to install them? The province's electricity act gives the utility legal rights to access private property to install or maintain its equipment, which includes meters. "Residential property owners can opt-out from getting a smart meter, either prior to installation or directly at the door with the installer," Fraser said in her statement. WATCH | 'There are avenues to go through': In the weeks prior to installation, customers will receive written and phone notice from N.B. Power, Fraser said. Customers can also reach out any time to refuse a smart meter, she said. "There is no fee to opt-out, however once smart meters are installed across New Brunswick, a monthly fee will be charged to customers who have refused a smart meter in order to cover the cost to maintain older systems and manual processes," Fraser said. The fee will be reviewed and approved by the province's Energy and Utilities Board, she said. In addition to the meters, the utility's prices for customers are rising 30 per cent in three years. This year alone, residential customers face an average of $244 in higher charges compared to last year. That spike has increased scrutiny of N.B. Power and spurred the government to order an external audit of the billing system. N.B. Power employees who install smart meters all receive safety training and must pass a written test, Fraser said, which includes de-escalation training and identifying aggressive behaviour before it happens. The utility's website said smart meters have been installed across western and central New Brunswick over the past two years. Currently the utility is in the middle of installing them across the province's south and southeast regions. Installations in the northeast will take place this spring through fall.
