The fire near Oldfield Road, north of Miramichi, has now grown to approximately 1,358 hectares.
The Irishtown fire, located in the Maple Hills district outside Moncton, has now been contained at 45 hectares, and the evacuation advisory has been lifted.
During a news conference earlier today, officials were cautiously optimistic.
“We’re seeing promising results thanks to the incredible work of the firefighters and their support near Irishtown,” Premier Susan Holt said. “We are optimistic — with caution.”
According to the Government of New Brunswick public fires dashboard, as of Wednesday evening, there are 14 active fires across the province. Three are is now considered out of control, two are under control, one is contained, and eight others are being patrolled.
Six new fires were reported since Tuesday, but crews responded quickly to contain them.
Helicopters and rapid-response teams are stationed at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre, ready to deploy within minutes.
A full fleet of 14 air tankers is available, and three helicopters are now in service.
Thirty firefighters assisted provincial crews, including 20 from Nova Scotia, five from Prince Edward Island, and five from Maine.
No structures have been lost.
If evacuation advisories are needed for any of the fires, residents are reminded to be ready to leave on short notice and have emergency kits prepared.
Recommended items include:
- Water and food
- Flashlight and radio with extra batteries
- First aid supplies and prescription medications
- Pet food, cash, clothing, and important documents
Officials also recommend taking photos or videos of your home and key documents to have on record in case of evacuation.
Comfort centres have been opened in 15 communities to help residents cope with the heat and provide access to cooling and other services.
Community response and public cooperation
Officials say they’ve received hundreds of offers of help from residents and businesses, including equipment donations and volunteer support.
The province is working to coordinate those offers and deploy resources where needed.
Residents are also being asked to report any signs of smoke or fire, which has helped crews respond quickly to new incidents.
Backyard fires continue to be a concern, though fines issued have been minimal.
“The easiest fire for us to be able to extinguish is the one that we don’t start in our backyards,” said Natural Resources Minister John Herron. “It is making our fire centre nervous that backyard fires are still continuing.”
Officials say most New Brunswickers are making responsible choices and avoiding activities that could spark new fires.
People are also being asked to conserve water, as dry conditions are affecting wells, streams and riverbeds across the province.
Suggested steps include avoiding car washes, lawn watering, and filling pools, and limiting the use of dishwashers and washing machines to full loads only.
Premier Holt encouraged New Brunswickers to rethink their recreational habits during the dry spell.
“It’s a good time to go for a swim. Maybe even to try pickleball. Who knows?” she said.
While evacuation advisories remain in place for Irishtown and surrounding areas, communities near Miramichi, such as Neguac and Lavillette, have not been issued evacuation notices.
Officials say they are monitoring conditions closely and will notify residents through alerts, social media, and local channels if the situation changes.
Heat, air quality, and lightning threat
Heat warnings remain in effect across most of New Brunswick, with temperatures reaching up to 37 degrees Celsius and humidex values as high as 43.
Cooler conditions are expected along the Fundy coast, and Saint John and the surrounding areas are excluded from the warning.
A weak cold front is expected to pass through the region on Thursday, bringing some relief from the heat.
Air quality remains a concern in areas affected by wildfire smoke, including Moncton, southeastern New Brunswick, and the Miramichi region.
People with respiratory conditions, older adults, and children are advised to stay indoors and monitor symptoms.
Officials are also warning about the increased risk of lightning, particularly in central and eastern regions such as Maple Hills, Miramichi, and areas north of Fredericton.
Dry lightning, strikes without significant rainfall, could spark new fires in already vulnerable terrain.
Officials say the coming days will be critical as crews continue to battle the fires and monitor changing conditions.
