In the face of extremely dry conditions, the New Brunswick government has banned access to all Crown land.
This means no fishing, camping, hiking, driving into the woods or using the trail systems. Camping is only allowed on campgrounds. The government has also requested private landowners to comply with the restrictions.
The restrictions come as the province battles 10 active fires with two major ones near Miramichi and Canterbury, while suffering from extremely dry conditions, a complete burn ban, and heat warnings in several regions.
Municipalities and parks around the province are responding to the provincial measures.
Fredericton:
“Conditions that we are experiencing today are quite different from normal,” said Justin McGuigan, Fredericton’s emergency measures specialist.
The city has closed all trails at Odell Park and Killarney Lake Park.
The beach and lake at Killarney Lake remain open along with trails in all other parts of the city, he said. Only the trails that go through the heavy wooded areas that are closed.
Fredericton has also activated a citywide fire ban, which applies to the Hartt Island RV Resort.
The city has excluded barbecues or natural gas/propane fire pits from the ban.
Saint John:
The city announced Sunday afternoon that it will be closing all walking and biking trails at Rockwood Park, Tucker Park and Little River Reservoir, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, August 11.
“We understand that this may not be the news some residents want to hear, and we realize it is the height of enjoying summer activities and being outdoors,” the city said in a news release. “It only takes the smallest of sparks to start a fire … so lets all work together to protect this vital infrastructure.”
The city also said it will work closely with front-line agencies to keep encampment residents safe.
Moncton:
The city said it will have an update regarding restrictions on Monday.
Bathurst:
Bathurst is following the provincial restrictions by prohibiting hiking, biking, camping, fishing and vehicle use on all Crown land. Camping is allowed with permits only in campgrounds.
The municipality asks private business and landowners to also comply by taking precautionary measures.
Miramichi:
The municipality has closed the trail systems at Millbank Nature trails, Morrison Cove trails and the French Fort Cove, including the Cove zip line and boat rentals. Use of recreational vehicles on city-owned trails is not allowed.
The city has also requested private landowners to prohibit recreational activities in wooded areas.
Edmundston:
The city has echoed the province’s orders by asking public not to throw cigarette butts on the ground, avoid setting off fireworks, not make any fires including the ones in fire pits and avoid entering any forested or wooded areas.
Kouchibouguac National Park:
Kouchibouguac has closed all trails, all backcountry camping and access to all backcountry and forested areas.
Visitor centres, front-country camping, day-use areas and beaches, lagoons, rivers and water-based activities remain open.
A full fire ban is in effect.
No open fires are permitted. This includes campfires and charcoal barbecues. Fire in kitchen shelter stoves is also prohibited.
Propane/gas camp stoves and lanterns are permitted but should be used with caution.
While smoking is not prohibited, smokers must dispose of their cigarette butts properly in an appropriate bin.
Fundy National Park:
All the trails, backcountry camping and forested areas across the park remain closed.
Front-country camping is permitted and access to lakes, water-based activities, day-use areas and visitor centres is open.
All roads at the park are closed except the Herring Cove Road, Point Wolfe Road and Highway 114. Parking on the shoulder is not allowed at Highway 114.
A fire ban is in effect throughout the park, which prohibits charcoal barbecues and igniting of sheltered kitchen stoves. Use of propane gas stoves and lanterns is allowed with caution. Smoking is not prohibited and the public is urged to dispose of cigarette butts in appropriate bins.
Fundy Footpath:
The Fundy Footpath is closed to hikers
Gary Hyslop with the Fundy Hiking Trail Association said he was at the Fundy Footpath last week for some maintenance work.
“It was extremely dry,” he said. “It was drier than I have ever seen it before.”
“Even the river levels, like the brooks and so on, [are the] lowest I have ever seen.”
He said the ground felt dry and dusty which is unusual for a coastal trail.
“We would need a number of days of wet weather,” he said.
Hyslop encouraged trail users not to put themselves in danger and comply with the provincial restrictions.
