If the forest fire that rages near Irishtown, north of Moncton, has been contained since Wednesday evening, the work of the New Brunswick firefighters is far from over. The most recent update of the provincial government reports, Thursday at 11 a.m., of 15 households, four of which are considered out of control.
The biggest problem of the authorities remains the fire of Old Field Road, near Miramichi, who has been burning for more than a week. This blaze devoured 1358 hectares of forest. No less than 70 firefighters try to contain it.
This fire weighs very heavy in the annual assessment. Since the beginning of the year, 1568 hectares of forest have been burned in the province, against 185 at the same date last year. This is an increase of 850%.
Over the past ten years, the average area burned on August 14 is 389 hectares.
At least three new braziers have been discovered in the last hours, some having broken out due to lightning.
The most important of the group has an area of 25 hectares. It rages southwest of Bathurst, very deeply in the neo-Brunswickois hinterland. Nine firefighters are mobilized there. It is considered out of control.
Another fire rages a little further north, this time much closer to Bathurst. The blaze is located a little north of the 180 road (which links Bathurst to Saint-Quentin), near South Tetagouche.
This fire has for the moment an area of just under a hectare. Fifteen firefighters are mobilized there. It is out of control.
A fire also broke out in Maple Glen, near Miramichi, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday. It has an area of 5.5 hectares and 15 firefighters attack there. He is also out of control, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Irishtown’s fire, north of Moncton, remains contained. Its area has not progressed for two days. Nearly 50 firefighters are still in office to ensure that the blaze remains controlled.
On Wednesday evening, the organization of emergency measures said that the evacuation notices for citizens of the Irishtown, Tankville, Evangéline and Lakeville sectors were lifted.
Two other fires are considered to be “controlled”, including that of South Barnaby, near Miramichi. Nine are patrolled, which is the last step before being qualified as extinguished.
No less than 177 firefighters are deployed on the ground on Thursday. From this number, 30 come from the provinces or neighboring states.
Fourteen tankers are available, nine of which are assigned to the fire of Old Field Road, near Miramichi. Three helicopters also participate in the fight. Two others could be added tomorrow, if the weather permits.
For the moment, the government does not deplore the destruction of any infrastructure by fires.
The government recalls that all industrial and recreational activities are prohibited on the crown lands since Saturday and until the other opinion.
A burning ban is also in force throughout the province.
