New Brunswick's Wildfire Woes Wane: Active Fires Plummet by Over Half

A significant sigh of relief can be heard across New Brunswick as the province’s battle against wildfires shows remarkable progress. The latest update from the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development’s dashboard reveals a dramatic reduction in active fires, plummeting by more than half since last week.

As of the recent reporting, New Brunswick is contending with just two active forest fires, a stark contrast to the five blazes that were burning across the province a mere seven days prior.

The total area scorched by these remaining fires has also seen a substantial decrease, now standing at approximately 26 hectares. This marks a significant improvement from last week when over 100 hectares were consumed by flames.

The two remaining fires are located near Mount Pleasant, where a 3.8-hectare blaze is now 100 percent contained and officially under control, and near Sussex, where a much smaller 0.01-hectare fire is also under control.

Crucially, no new fires have been reported since June 20, indicating a positive trend in fire prevention and response.

This encouraging turnaround has allowed authorities to lift all fire bans across the province as of Monday, bringing welcome news to residents and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The timely arrival of recent rainfall has played a pivotal role in this improvement, helping to dampen dry conditions that had previously fueled the rapid spread of fires.

Just last Friday, June 21, the situation was far more precarious.

Five active fires were burning, including two substantial incidents: a 70-hectare fire near Allardville and a 30-hectare blaze near Saint-Louis-de-Kent. The Allardville fire, which investigators determined was intentionally set, served as a grim reminder of the human element in wildfire ignition.

Minister Mike Holland had previously underscored the critical importance of public vigilance, noting that an overwhelming majority—approximately 90 percent—of forest fires in New Brunswick are caused by human activity.

His message of prevention remains highly relevant, even as the immediate threat subsides, urging residents to exercise extreme caution when engaging in any outdoor activities that could spark a fire.

The Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development continues to provide daily updates through its comprehensive wildfire dashboard, offering transparent and timely information to the public.

While the recent progress offers a moment for collective relief, the ongoing need for responsible practices in and around New Brunswick's natural landscapes remains paramount to safeguarding the province's precious forests from future devastating blazes.