Forestry activities restricted as wildfire burns near Miramichi

Forestry activities restricted as wildfire burns near Miramichi

Some forestry operations have been restricted as the wildfire officials continue to grapple with dry conditions across New Brunswick. 

The restrictions are in place for the next four days. 

Given the current high-risk situation, we are restricting some forestry operations on both Crown and private land,” said Natural Resources Minister John Herron in a release from the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development (DNRED). “These measures will help protect our forests, animals, natural habitats and our communities, as well as our wildland fire crews. I encourage everyone to take extreme precautions over the coming days and stay out of the forests if at all possible.”

As of midnight tonight, several types of forestry activity are restricted until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the release. 

Harvesting, forwarding, skidding, scarification, chipping and all pre-commercial thinning and cleaning are restricted. While trucking, road construction and maintenance, vegetation management and tree planting remain allowed. 

It said the restrictions could change as fire officials continue to monitor the conditions in New Brunswick. The entire province remains under a burn ban. 

“New Brunswickers are encouraged to continue limiting their activities in the woods to support these efforts to protect the province’s forests and communities,” the release said. 

It comes amid an ‘out-of-control’ wildfire just outside the City of Miramichi. 

According to DNRED, the fire has spread to 65 hectares. 

Water bombers will continue to work on the fire today,” said Nick Brown, a spokesperson for the department. “Additional personnel will join the efforts as well. Bulldozers (6) are making good progress building a fire break around the fire.”

He said no homes are threatened, but added today’s temperatures and humidity will make the day challenging.

Author

  • Nathalie Sturgeon, Local Journalism Initiative, The Courier. The Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada, aims to provide journalism to underserved communities. She joined the team in August 2024 and was formerly a digital broadcast journalist with Global News in New Brunswick. She has past experience as the editor of the Kings County Record in Sussex, N.B. She is from White Rapids, New Brunswick, just outside of Miramichi. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in journalism from St. Thomas University in Fredericton. Nathalie is a strong supporter of local and community news -- and hopes to tell the most important stories for the people of Charlotte County and beyond.

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