Residents in Irishtown, Tankville Evangeline and Lakeville areas are being told to be prepared to evacuate on short notice by the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization.
A forest fire ignited in Irishtown, near Moncton, and has spread across roughly 30 hectares.
Crews continue to battle the Old Field Road fire near Miramichi and a the fire in Irishtown, near Moncton. Both are considered out of control.
There are twelve fires in New Brunswick. Nine are being patrolled – which is the last step before being consider out.
“For the Irishtown fire, there are four air tankers and two skimmers are currently on site,” a statement from the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development (DNRED) said on Sunday.
“The current wildfire situation continues to be severe and unprecedented,” said Natural Resources Minister John Herron. “To ensure the safety of New Brunswickers and our province, we are pro-actively reaching out Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) to request additional firefighting personnel to support our fire crews on the ground and back at our central operations centre.”
Read more: Province of N.B. bans use of Crown land due to fire risk
Herron said New Brunswick has often stepped up when other provinces and countries have been in need, which is why it is reaching out now.
Nine fires are being patrolled – which is the last step before being consider out. An earlier fire that was considered out-of-control in Canterbury is now considered under control.
Evacuations have begun, though, outside Miramichi. One home and three cottages have been evacuated and an additional 15 have been put on notice about a possible evacuation if the fire continues to move in their direction.
“The current size of the Old Field Road fire is difficult to measure at this time due to smoke reducing visibility,” a statement said. “However, it did jump Highway 8 and burned about 20 hectares.”
According to the fire activity summary, which is updated once a day, said the fire has reached 340 hectares.
The other fire in Canterbury is about 5 hectares. It is about 15 per cent contained, 40 firefighters and 3 dozers are working on it. A dozer guard is being built and air attack will be sent in as needed, according to the department.
Crown land restricted
On Saturday, the government banned activities on Crown land.
The ban includes a prohibition on Crown land of hiking, fishing, camping, and the use of vehicles. Camping was allowed in designated campgrounds, but the province asked individuals to reconsider their camping plans.
“There could be a fine of $140 plus the surcharge, $172.50,” said Minister of Justice, Rob McKee, of where the provision currently stands. He said this fine is in accordance with the Crown Land and Forest Act and that if someone is found to be the cause of a fire they will be responsible for the costs to put the fire out, up to a maximum of $250,000.
Other provinces have significantly increased fines for those found in violation of the various bans on activities in wooded areas.
Read more: Miramichi wildfire more than doubles in size
Premier Susan Holt said the province is in an unprecedented situation and it is getting worse. With no significant rainfall since early July and many areas of the province experiencing 50 per cent less precipitation than normal, Herron said he does not expect conditions to change until August 17.
Herron also added that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has not observed a drying situation as severe as this since 1986.
Forestry operations continue to be restricted as well.
According to the province’s public fire dashboard, 496 hectares have burned compared to just 185 hectares this time last year.
At least 231 fires have been ignited this year.
