If you live in New Brunswick, you know how dry the season has been. Fire crews are battling multiple wildfires across the province after a sudden outbreak on Tuesday afternoon. The Department of Natural Resources reported 16 active fires by Tuesday evening, with six classified as out of control.

According to a report from CBC News, the out of control fires are burning near Doaktown, Renous, Nelson Junction, and Rogersville. Most of these fires remain under one hectare in size. One fire south of Nelson Junction spans 1.4 hectares.

Public Safety and Property Damage

Department spokesperson Nick Brown stated there is no imminent risk to public safety. He asked residents to stay clear of the affected areas and avoid unnecessary travel so emergency personnel can work safely.

In Rogersville, firefighters tackled about 10 brush fires along Route 126. Nouvelle Arcadie fire Chief Roger Pitre confirmed a mobile home and a parked car burned, but no injuries occurred. Crews are currently working to contain hot spots in the area.

Dry Conditions Fuel the Flames

This year brings a significant increase in wildfire activity for New Brunswick. The provincial dashboard shows 171 fires have burned 306.8 hectares so far this year. This is a sharp rise from the 99 fires and 87.7 hectares burned by this time last year.

Doaktown Mayor Art O’Donnell visited two wildfires near his community. He noted the dry conditions have already caused water supply issues for the municipality.

“It seemed like they are very organized and had that fire kind of surrounded,” O’Donnell said. “But it is a pretty bad one for sure. It is scary. It really has been a dry year.”

Rogersville resident Sophie Caissie drove past the fires and felt the heat from inside her vehicle.

“I am actually really concerned because we had quite a lot of rain a few days ago and there are already fires everywhere. It is quite scary,” Caissie said.

Relief on the Horizon

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement for northwestern New Brunswick. The forecast predicts up to 40 millimetres of rain and severe thunderstorms. The eastern side of the province also expects periods of rain, which will help fire crews gain control of the remaining blazes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the out of control wildfires located?

The out of control fires are burning near Doaktown, Renous, Nelson Junction, and Rogersville.

Is there a risk to public safety?

The Department of Natural Resources states there is no imminent risk to public safety. Officials ask the public to avoid traveling near the active fire zones.

How does this wildfire season compare to last year?

New Brunswick has seen a major increase in wildfires this year. Crews have responded to 171 fires burning over 300 hectares, compared to 99 fires and 87 hectares at this time last year.