300 homes evacuated, one destroyed by forest fires in southwestern New Brunswick
A forest fire that forced hundreds of evacuations and destroyed a home in southwestern New Brunswick remained out of control on Monday afternoon, though officials said they were hopeful things would soon change.
The fire raging near the towns of Bocabec and Chamcook was pummelled from above by seven water bombers, while crews from 13 different fire departments in the region attacked the flames from the ground, said Kevin Theriault, chief of the fire department in Saint Andrews, N.B. The fire had stopped spreading up into the trees, and was instead smouldering close to the ground, he said.
Crews hoped to have the fires under control later on Monday or some time on Tuesday, Theriault told reporters, adding: "But this will be a long, drawn-out firefight for everybody."
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs said it was "a very extreme situation," adding that an "unprecedented" number of fires -- about 15 -- had started on Sunday alone.
Theriault said crews got a call on Sunday at about 1:30 p.m. about an all-terrain vehicle fire in Chamcook. When they arrived, they found the ATV ablaze and the flames spreading into the woods. Propelled by winds and parched conditions, the fire quickly leapt "from hilltop to hilltop to hilltop," he said.
"The fire travelled too fast to be controlled, and we ended up with the situation we're in now with a major forest fire on our hands in Chamcook and Bocabec," Theriault said. He estimated the fire covered more than two square kilometres as of Monday morning.
Saint Andrews, N.B., Mayor Brad Henderson said earlier Monday that officials had evacuated about 400 homes, but Theriault said that figure was closer to 300. The fire chief said evacuees wouldn't be able to return to their homes on Monday night, but he was hopeful they'd go home some time on Tuesday.
In the meantime, the arena in Saint Andrews was open as an emergency centre for those who needed food, shelter or somewhere to charge their phones.
The fire destroyed one home, but Theriault said the people who lived there were safe. There were other homes surrounded by flames, but crews were able to protect them, he said.
Firefighters from New Brunswick were sent to help other jurisdictions battle blazes, including Nova Scotia, where a fire in suburban Halifax forced more than 14,000 people to flee their homes. Higgs said they had all returned to the province, as had the firefighting aircraft sent to help outside New Brunswick.
There were 12 fires burning across the province on Monday, according to the government's latest fire activity report.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Security Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
'Wild, wild west.' Families say organs of deceased Alabama inmates have been removed without their consent
The state Department of Corrections and the University of Alabama at Birmingham face disturbing allegations from the families of five inmates whose organs were removed and reportedly kept without consent, according to a series of lawsuits.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.