Expanded wildfire in Moncton area remains untamed, now covering approximately 45 hectares, a noticeable reduction from earlier estimates.
Wildfire Update: New Brunswick Struggles with Multiple Out-of-Control Fires, Including Irishtown
As the heatwave continues to grip New Brunswick, the province is battling 20 active wildfires, with five of them out of control. The number of active fires has decreased from 33 earlier in the week, but the situation remains critical, particularly in the Irishtown area.
Current Status of Wildfires in New Brunswick
The out-of-control fires include the Chief's (250), Beaver Lake Stream (256), Lake Brook Lake (273), Mount Goold (276), Rocky Brook (281), and Green Brook (284) fires. The Irishtown fire, also known as the 115 Pit fire, was previously out of control, but recent updates indicate that it is no longer included among the out-of-control fires.
Irishtown Fire
The Irishtown fire was one of the significant fires in early August. However, there is no specific update on its current status as of the latest reports. It is likely that its situation has improved, given the lack of recent mentions alongside the other out-of-control fires.
The New Brunswick government continues to monitor the situation closely and advises people to avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas to allow emergency crews to work effectively. On Monday, Natural Resource Minister John Herron stated that as many as 900 structures and 1,500 people could be affected by the Irishtown fire.
Overall Measures
Forestry operations such as harvesting, forwarding, skidding, scarification, chipping, and all pre-commercial thinning and cleaning are prohibited. Water that is going to be consumed, used to wash produce or for cooking, as well as brushing teeth, should be held at a rolling boil for one minute.
Ten of the wildfires are contained or are being patrolled. An air quality statement has also been issued for the Moncton area due to smoke from the wildfire potentially causing poor air quality and reduced visibility.
The Miramichi-area wildfire has doubled in size to 1,120 hectares and remains out of control. An Alert Ready message will be issued if residents have to evacuate their homes. The city is working with the Department of Health and water-testing is ongoing. It will issue an advisory when the boil-water order has been lifted.
No one has been evacuated from the area at this time, but residents in the Irishtown, Tankville, Evangeline, and Lakeville communities have been told to be prepared to evacuate on short notice.
Precautions and Restrictions
The Boil Order has been extended to include residents and businesses along Granite Drive, Royal Oaks Subdivision, and civic addresses including and above Elmwood Drive. The city is recommending that caregivers sponge-bathe toddlers and infants to reduce the risk of them swallowing any water.
All Crown lands in New Brunswick are closed due to the wildfires, and residents are not allowed to hike, camp, fish or use vehicles in the woods at this time. Trail systems through the woods are off-limits, and camping is only allowed in official campgrounds, but the province is asking people to reconsider their camping plans until the forest fire risk decreases.
The province is urging residents to stay away from the wildfires and give the firefighters space to do their jobs. The City of Moncton has issued a boil-water order for Elmwood Drive, north of the Trans-Canada Highway, due to firefighting efforts.
A heat warning is in effect for the Moncton area, with temperatures expected to reach 33 to 36 degrees and feel like 38 to 42 with the humidex. The province continues to appeal to residents to stay vigilant and follow all safety measures during this challenging time.
- Despite the decrease in active wildfires, concerns about the Irishtown fire, also known as the 115 Pit fire, persist, as it was once out of control.
- As the province grapples with wildfires and heatwaves, residents are advised to be mindful of their health, with water intended for consumption, washing produce, cooking, or brushing teeth needing to be boiled for a minute.
- With the ongoing wildfires and the heatwave, video and news updates about the sports world might offer a welcomed respite for New Brunswick residents, providing a much-needed break from the environment-related news.
