Premier and Natural Resources and Public Safety ministers brief public on forest fire situation
While the fire near Canterbury is contained, with crews on site working on hot spots, two forest fires across the province remain out of control.
At a provincial news briefing on Monday, Aug. 11, Natural Resources Minister John Herron, Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin, and Premier Susan Holt gave an update on the fire situation around New Brunswick.
“We need to take all possible precautions to prevent the spread of existing fires or the start of new fires,” said Premier Holt. “It’s a really scary period for a lot of people in our province. I want to assure you that everyone is working really hard on this issue for you.”
During the news conference, Natural Resources Minister John Herron said the Oldfield fire in Miramichi grew from 340 hectares to 450. Numbers listed on the government’s Fire Watch website four hours later said the Oldfield fire has now destroyed 687 hectares of woodland. Officials categorized a fire near Bathurst as out of control, but as of 6 p.m. Monday, the provincial Fire Watch website listed the fire status as ‘contained.’
The government website says the fire near Moncton is 54 hectares in size. People in Irishtown, Tankville, Evangeline, and Lakeville have been told to be ready to evacuate on short notice. Approximately 900 structures are at risk in an area that is home to 1,500 people.
Minister Herron said officials are working to be proactive in their approach, which is why the province has reached out for help.
“We have requested 60 Type 1 firefighters. We have 20 coming from Nova Scotia, five from P.E.I., and we believe we have five coming from State of Maine, so half of what we’ve asked for,” he said.
Fire crews will also be helped by two leased air attack helicopters, which will use water buckets.
“We also have a request out for an additional CF 415 – those large super scooper water bombers, we have two on loan now – we made a request for one or two others of the 415s to help with the Oldfield fire. We’re trying to get ahead of it,” Herron added.
Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin is hoping the public takes the government’s advice and people do everything they can to help the situation, rather than causing more problems.
“We’re asking you to take careful measures, like the premier mentioned; measures that are going to help employees working in the forests right now who are putting their lives at risk,” he said. “It’s a stressful period for people (living) near those forest fires.”
Minister Gauvin encouraged everyone to have an evacuation plan and be prepared with an emergency kit.
“There is information our the (EMO) website,” he stressed. “Make sure your family knows what to do if you get evacuated.”
The province said that if an evacuation order comes, they’ll be using all means of communication to get the word out.
When asked about civilian-owned drones capturing images of fires, Wildlife Prevention Officer Roger Collet said his officers are aware of them, but haven’t had issues with the remotely controlled aircraft – yet.
“We know they have been up on some of the fires,” Collet said. “But there is a NOTAM (notice to airmen prohibiting flight) around every fire, so legally, you cannot fly a drone on a fire scene without permission from our department.”
Minister Herron quickly interjected.
“Don’t do that,” he stressed. “Just don’t do it. You’re putting people at risk. Do not put our pilots at risk. This is not something that is encouraged. We have men and women who are on the ground, in the air, doing everything they can to keep New Brunswickers safe. Don’t do things that put them in harms way.”
With the dry conditions, municipalities and organizations have begun cancelling events and closing trails. The Meduxnekeag River Association has closed their trail system, and the Richmond Corner Lawnmower Races are now scheduled for Sept. 14. The Antique Tractor Pull weekend will now be Sept. 19 to 21.
The Public Fires Dashboard, available at gnb.ca/firewatch, was updated on Monday with new data on the Lakeland Ridges fire. It shows the Herb Jamieson Road fire destroyed 10 hectares of woodland. Crews will remain on site for the next few days, putting out hotspots to ensure it doesn’t flare up again.
The entire province is currently under a fire ban. Crown lands were closed to the public on Saturday, Aug. 9.
