As the afternoon sun filters through the spruce and maple trees at Mactaquac Provincial Park, rangers are finally breathing easier. For Maritimers who’ve spent weeks eyeing the skies nervously, today’s announcement brings the first real sigh of relief since May.
New Brunswick’s Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development has lifted some wildfire restrictions across the province, though officials stress that the fire danger isn’t completely behind us.
“We’re seeing encouraging trends in moisture levels and forest conditions,” says Roger Collet, the provincial fire prevention specialist I spoke with yesterday at a monitoring station outside Fredericton. “But we’re not out of the woods yet—literally and figuratively.”
The province-wide fire ban implemented earlier this spring remains firmly in place, particularly for open burning activities. However, the department has eased restrictions on industrial operations in forested areas, giving lumber companies and contractors some breathing room after weeks of disrupted schedules.
The decision comes after Environment Canada recorded nearly 40mm of rainfall across central New Brunswick last week—a welcome change from the tinder-dry conditions that sparked multiple fires throughout May and early June.
For Jillian MacLean, who operates a campground near Sussex, the partial lifting of restrictions couldn’t come soon enough. “We’ve had to tell campers they can’t have their evening fires for weeks now. It’s part of the camping experience people expect,” she explains while checking bookings on her office computer. “But everyone understands safety comes first.”
The numbers tell the story of New Brunswick’s challenging fire season. Since April, crews have battled 174 wildfires across the province—nearly double the ten-year average for this point in the season. Most concerning to officials was that over 70% of these fires were human-caused and potentially preventable.
The recent rainfall has helped contain several active fires, including a stubborn 45-hectare blaze near Miramichi that required water bombers last week. Provincial fire crews have now downgraded that fire from “out of control” to “being held.”
Roger Jenkins, a veteran firefighter with 23 years of experience fighting forest fires, sees reason for cautious optimism. “The rain has definitely improved our immediate outlook,” he told me at the provincial operations center. “But a few hot, windy days could quickly change things, especially in the northeastern regions where rainfall was lighter.”
This year’s fire season caught many communities off-guard with its early intensity. Mike Walton, mayor of a small community near Oromocto, recalls the anxiety. “We had evacuation plans ready in May. That’s unheard of—we’re usually more worried about spring flooding than fires.”
The restrictions being lifted primarily affect industrial operations in Crown forests. Logging companies can now resume normal operations, though they must still maintain fire suppression equipment on-site and submit daily activity reports to the department.
For everyday New Brunswickers, the most noticeable restriction—the ban on campfires and other open burning—remains firmly in place across all provincial parks and Crown lands. Propane fire pits and CSA-approved appliances are still permitted for those seeking a camping experience with some semblance of a campfire.
Climate scientists at the University of New Brunswick point to this spring’s fire activity as consistent with climate change projections for the Maritimes. “We’re experiencing earlier fire seasons with more intense dry periods,” explains Dr. Margaret Simmons, a climate researcher I interviewed last month. “What we’re seeing fits the pattern of more volatile weather systems affecting the province.”
Provincial officials have been using the FireSmart Canada program to help communities better prepare for wildfire threats. The program encourages clearing flammable vegetation near homes and creating defensible spaces in communities bordering forested areas.
The Department reminds residents that penalties for violating fire bans remain steep—up to $1,000 for first offenses and potential criminal charges for fires that cause property damage.
While the easing of some restrictions marks progress, the province’s emergency measures officials continue monitoring conditions daily. Their fire danger map, updated each morning on the provincial website, still shows “high” to “extreme” ratings for several northeastern counties.
For weekend warriors heading to cottages and campgrounds, the message remains clear: enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Park wardens will continue routine patrols, and the department has added weekend staff to answer questions and enforce remaining restrictions.
As Fredericton resident Marie Leblanc loaded camping gear into her SUV yesterday, she summed up the mood of many outdoor enthusiasts: “We’re just happy to be able to get out there again without constantly checking the fire alerts on our phones. But no one wants to be the person who starts the next big one, so we’ll follow the rules.”
With summer tourism season approaching its peak, provincial officials are working closely with tourism operators to communicate current restrictions to visitors. Digital signs along major highways have been updated to reflect the current status.
For now, New Brunswick’s forests are getting a much-needed respite. But as any experienced ranger will tell you, in the world of wildfire management, conditions can change as quickly as the Maritime weather itself.
