The phones at the Fredericton Outfitters Club haven’t stopped ringing since yesterday’s announcement. After weeks of escalating wildfire danger, New Brunswick officials made the difficult decision to close all Crown land to public access, effective immediately.
“We’re getting calls every twenty minutes from folks who had fishing trips planned,” says Martin Leblanc, the club’s operations manager. “Some have been planning these trips for months.”
The provincial government announced the measure Tuesday morning, citing “extreme fire hazard conditions” across central and southern regions. This unprecedented move restricts access to approximately 3.3 million hectares – nearly half the province’s total area.
Natural Resources Minister Mike Holland called the decision “necessary but heartbreaking” during the announcement. “We understand this impacts livelihoods, recreation, and traditions. But with the current conditions, we simply cannot risk more fires.”
The province has already battled 98 wildfires this season, consuming over 150 hectares of forest. That’s nearly double the five-year average for this point in May, according to provincial fire management officials.
For communities like Miramichi, where tourism and outdoor recreation form economic cornerstones, the timing couldn’t be worse. The walleye fishing season had just opened, drawing anglers from across Eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.
“This hits us right in the pocketbook,” explains Sarah Donovan, owner of River’s Edge Supply in Blackville. “May and June are make-or-break months for small businesses like mine. But we understand safety comes first.”
The ban includes all recreational activities on Crown land – hiking, camping, fishing, and ATV use. Only authorized personnel and those with commercial licenses are permitted entry, provided they obtain special permits and follow strict fire prevention protocols.
Environment Canada data shows precipitation levels 40% below seasonal norms across much of the province. Combined with unseasonably warm temperatures and steady winds, conditions have created what one forestry official described as “a tinderbox waiting for a spark.”
The New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners has expressed support for the measure while acknowledging the economic pain. “Private landowners are watching this situation with great concern,” says Federation President Jean-Claude Savoie. “Many of us are implementing similar restrictions voluntarily.”
Social media has seen mixed reactions. The hashtag #NBWildfireClosure has trended locally, with many residents sharing photos of parched forests and expressing support. Others question the broad scope of the closure rather than a targeted approach.
Indigenous communities, who maintain traditional rights to Crown lands, have received exemptions for ceremonial and sustenance activities. However, community leaders have urged members to exercise extreme caution.
“Our people understand the sacred relationship with the land includes protecting it,” explains Elizabeth Polchies, a knowledge keeper from St. Mary’s First Nation. “Many elders are advising community members to postpone non-essential activities until conditions improve.”
Tourism operators and outfitters are scrambling to adjust bookings and offer alternatives. The province has promised to review the closure daily, with hopes that forecasted rain might bring relief next week.
For weekend campers like the Arsenault family of Moncton, the announcement means cancelling long-anticipated plans. “We had our first family camping trip of the season planned at Mount Carleton,” says Marie Arsenault. “The kids are disappointed, but we’re using it as a teaching moment about climate and fire safety.”
Officials stress the closure affects only Crown land, not provincial parks or private campgrounds, though fire bans remain in effect province-wide. Municipal parks remain open but with enhanced restrictions.
The Department of Natural Resources has deployed additional conservation officers to enforce the closure. Violations carry fines starting at $1,000 for individuals and up to $10,000 for businesses.
This isn’t New Brunswick’s first experience with severe wildfire seasons. In 2021, similar conditions led to partial land closures in northern regions. However, this marks the first province-wide restriction of Crown land in over two decades.
Climate scientists at the University of New Brunswick point to concerning trends. “What we’re seeing aligns with climate models that predict longer, more intense fire seasons,” explains Dr. Rachel Thompson, a climatologist studying forest fire patterns. “This may become our new normal rather than an anomaly.”
For now, residents and visitors alike are watching weather forecasts with unusual intensity, hoping for rain that might dampen the forest floor and ease restrictions before the Victoria Day long weekend – traditionally the unofficial start of summer activities across the province.
As Martin Leblanc puts it while rescheduling yet another disappointed client: “In New Brunswick, our forests are our identity. Protecting them hurts in the short term but there’s really no alternative. We’ll be back on the water soon enough – God and weather willing.”
