New BrunswickThe province will lift most restrictions on Crown land across New Brunswick, but a provincewide burn ban will remain in place.18 fires continue to burn, 3 considered out of controlOliver Pearson · CBC News · Posted: Aug 25, 2025 7:56 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoThis photo shows smoke from the Oldfield Road fire near Miramichi on Aug. 10. (Submitted by Department of Natural Resources)New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says most restrictions on Crown land will be removed at midnight Monday, but the province’s burn ban will remain in place to decrease the risk of wildfires.Speaking to reporters Monday afternoon, Holt said cooler weather and efforts by firefighters have made it possible to ease restrictions.Restrictions remain on timber harvesting, which will only be allowed from 6 p.m. to noon and will be reassessed on a daily basis, according to a news release from the province.Peat harvesting, which has been permitted since Aug. 13, also has restrictions.”We’re asking all New Brunswickers to continue to be safe and to take care, to be thoughtful about your ATVs, not to smoke in the woods,” said Holt.Natural Resources Minister John Herron added that people should also stay away from any areas where firefighters are still actively fighting fires.All Crown land has been closed to industrial and recreational activities since Aug. 10 due to wildfires that required the province to request outside help.Herron said the decision may be clawed back if multiple fires are ignited.”Should we face a fire of significance that is threatening homes, businesses, or other infrastructure, we may need to reconsider added precautions on Crown lands again,” he said.Natural Resources Minister John Herron said Crown land restrictions could be reinstated if a ‘fire of significance’ threatens homes, businesses, or other infrastructure. (Chad Ingraham/CBC)Herron reminded the province that 10 days ago there were 39 active fires. There are 18 active fires in the province as of Monday’s news conference.”Although we remain at risk, we are indeed in a much better place today compared to where where we were over the last couple of weeks,” said Herron.Herron said looking to the future, the province will have to be hypervigilant about fires until the end of September and even into October.”The bad news is the forest is really dry, and it’s going to [continue] to be dry until the until the snow comes,” said Herron.Evacuation advisory still in placeOne wildfire evacuation advisory that was issued on Sunday is still in place for residents in the eastern part of New Brunswick, while another was lifted Monday morning.The fire in the Pointe-Sapin area is now contained, and an evacuation advisory issued over the weekend is no longer in effect for nearby residents, New Brunswick’s Emergency Measures Organization said.The fire affecting the Pointe-Sapin area, called Peatmoss Piles, covers one hectare of land. It’s contained, meaning it’s surrounded by barriers like bulldozer breaks or hose lines, which are expected to keep it from spreading if firefighting efforts continue. But the Peatmoss Piles fire is still burning and could potentially jump or spread.The province’s sole active evacuation advisory was issued Sunday around 6 p.m. for people living on Highway 117 from Black River Bridge up to and including Little Branch.The Black River Bridge fire is out of control and two hectares in size.The notice says people should be prepared to evacuate on a 24-hour notice, with an emergency alert issued with instructions if residents need to leave.WATCH | What to include in your emergency kit: How should you prepare for an evacuation?Whether fire, flood or hurricane, there are ways you can prepare to evacuate your home when danger reaches your doorstep.Two more fires are burning out of control, including the Beaver Lake Stream fire in Northumberland County at 338 hectares in size as of Monday afternoon. It was listed as 238 hectares on Monday morning.The Rocky Brook fire is out of control and has grown slightly to 204 hectares.Smoky air in the southeastSmoke is expected to drift into Moncton and southeast New Brunswick, and eastern portions of Kings and Saint John counties, with Environment Canada issuing a special air quality statement for those regions.The smoke is from a wildfire near Long Lake in Annapolis County in Nova Scotia, according to Environment Canada.”As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events,” the statement says.It’s normally possible to see the Université de Moncton campus from this location, but wildfire smoke from Nova Scotia has reduced visibility and air quality. This photo was taken on the morning of Aug. 25. (Patrick Lacelle/Radio-Canada)People more likely to be affected include those 65 or older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition and people who work outdoors.Monday will be cloudy across New Brunswick with chances of showers. Highs range from 18 C along the coast to 26 C inland. Winds will become southerly and increase to 20 kilometres an hour and gust to 40 km/h.ABOUT THE AUTHOROliver Pearson is a reporter at CBC New Brunswick. He can be reached at oliver.pearson@cbc.ca
Restrictions on N.B. Crown land end at midnight, provincewide burn ban remains
