New Brunswick is requesting firefighters from other areas for the first time as it battles two large out-of-control wildfires.
The province has made a request to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre for 60 firefighters to help with the battle, officials said Monday.
It has already received approval for 30 of those firefighters, including 20 from Nova Scotia, five from P.E.I. and five from Maine.
“We want to be on our front foot as much as possible. We want to be as proactive as we can,” Natural Resources Minister John Herron told reporters.
The Nova Scotia government said late Monday that its firefighters would be helping to battle the Irishtown blaze, just north of Moncton.
Hundreds told to prepare for evacuation
Herron said that particular fire had grown to an estimated 54 hectares in size as of Monday afternoon.
New Brunswick EMO has said residents in the Irishtown, Tankville, Évangéline and Lakeville areas should be prepared to leave on short notice.
“The area of concern has as many as 900 structures in that region that potentially could affect an estimated 1,500 persons,” said Herron.
Provincial public safety officials said an Alert Ready message will be issued through television, radio and wireless devices if an evacuation order is issued.
Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin urged people in the area to remain calm but be prepared. The Maple Hills Moncton Kia Centre, he explained, is prepared to take evacuees.
A special air quality statement has been issued for the Irishtown area due to reduced air quality, and Irishtown Nature Park remains closed due to the ongoing fire operations.
The Crossman Community Centre-Kay Arena in Moncton is closed to provide lodging for wildfire personnel responding to the current situation.
Water bomber loading operations are taking place in Shediac Bay until further notice. Boats and other watercraft are asked to stay away from the area.
Miramichi-area wildfire continues to grow
The province’s largest active fire, which is burning just north of Miramichi, has grown to more than 680 hectares, up from 340 on Sunday.
“At the moment, we are unable to get in front of that fire, but we do have the capacity to help steer it away from people,” said Herron.
Several smaller fires are also being fought or patrolled throughout the province, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Herron said the province is adding two air attack helicopters to its fleet and has requested an additional CF-415, also known as a “super scooper water bomber.”
All Department of Natural Resources offices are closed as of 4:30 p.m. Monday so staff can focus on firefighting efforts, he said, noting that many DNR staff are also highly trained firefighters.
Premier Susan Holt once again encouraged New Brunswickers to take all precautions necessary to avoid the spread of existing fires and the start of new ones.
“We know that the hot, humid, windy weather is going to continue for the foreseeable future,” said Holt. “This is a scary time for our province, and I want to reassure folks that our entire team … is doing everything possible to protect you and your communities and our forests.”
Holt noted that two fines had been issued so far for violations of the province’s restrictions.
Heat warning, fire ban continue
A heat warning continues through Wednesday for much of the province, except along the Fundy Coast, as daytime highs of 30°C to 35°C will feel as warm as 43 in some areas. The entire province also remains under a burn ban.
Residents are being urged to stay out of the woods and to keep away from active wildfires. All Crown land is closed until further notice, and many municipalities have shut down parks and trails in wooded areas.
Moncton Fire Chief Conrad Landry, whose firefighters are helping to battle the Irishtown blaze, said the heat and dry conditions are very concerning.
“DNR said they’ve never seen anything like this, and they have 25 to 30 years of experience. The dryness and no rain projected,” Landry told our newsroom.
“It’s imperative that rules are followed during these extremely dry conditions. No fires whatsoever. We need everyone’s participation to prevent more of these.”
Updates on the wildfire situation can be found on the province’s Fire Watch website.
