Canada Faces Worst Wildfire Season in 40 Years, Moncton Hit
Canada is experiencing one of its most severe wildfire seasons, with a swiftly expanding fire north of Moncton causing officials to warn residents of the small village of Maple Hills to prepare for an evacuation, though no order has yet been issued.
According to New Brunswick's wildfire tracking dashboard, the blaze at Irishtown Nature Park has spread to 30 hectares as of Sunday evening (August 10). The Municipality of Maple Hills is requesting that residents between Cape Breton Road, Weisner Road, Elmwood Drive, and Roma Way prepare their things and pets in case an evacuation is required.
Maple Hills Mayor Erica Warren hailed first responders' quick response and said trenches are being created as firebreaks to limit the flames. "Things could be a whole lot worse had they not responded as quickly and effectively as they did," she told reporters.
Residents are paying close attention to the issue. The Moncton Firefighters Association requested the public to avoid the impacted area so that emergency services could safely perform fire and water shuttle operations.
Meanwhile, the City of Moncton has issued a boil-water alert for portions of Elmwood Drive and surrounding areas owing to excessive turbidity in the water produced by firefighting activities. Residents should boil water before consuming, cooking, or brushing their teeth until further notice.
The Oldfield Road wildfire near Miramichi is still raging, with an estimated 340 hectares consumed. Three residences and a cottage have been relocated, while another 15 properties are on notice. There were no residents at home when the evacuation order was issued. The fire has leaped Highway 8 and is still out of control, with limited visibility, confusing control attempts.
During a Saturday briefing, New Brunswick Natural Resources Minister John Herron stated that the Oldfield Road fire is "beyond control," noting that exceptional fire conditions require Intense firefighting resources. To prevent fire Dangers, the government has prohibited access to all Crown land, limiting outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, and driving through forested areas.
In York County, a smaller fire near Canterbury that spanned approximately five hectares was put out Sunday afternoon.
Officials warn that this wildfire season is exceptionally severe, with circumstances unprecedented in nearly four decades due to extended dry weather.