City of Fredericton Activates Emergency Measures as Wildfire Hazard Persists

The City of Fredericton is advising residents to stay informed and respect fire safety rules due to the continued elevated risk of wildfires in the region. The Fredericton Emergency Measures Organization has activated its operations centre to level two, reflecting a more formalized and coordinated response to the situation. Residents can expect daily updates as the City works closely with provincial and community partners to manage the risk. The City's emergency response is being led by the Fredericton Fire Department, which is equipped with the training and resources needed to manage wildfire threats in both urban and forested environments.

Key Takeaways:

• A citywide fire ban remains in effect in Fredericton until further notice, covering all private residences, private campgrounds, commercial, and public properties, except for barbecues and natural gas/propane fire pits.
• The ban includes all charcoal barbecues in City parks, and wooded areas of Odell Park, Killarney Lake Park, and the UNB Woodlot are closed to activities.
• Residents are advised to respect fire safety rules and stay informed, with daily updates provided by the City and provincial partners.
• The City's water supply is not immediately concerned, with water use following typical seasonal patterns and a new downtown well increasing water production capacity.
• The Fredericton Fire Department is at a heightened state of readiness to respond to reports of smoke or fire in both wildland and urban areas.
• Residents are urged to report fires that violate the fire ban to 9-1-1 immediately.
• The City is working to provide fire safety outreach to vulnerable populations, including those living in encampments.

Statistics:

• The citywide fire ban remains in effect until further notice.
• The ban covers all private residences, private campgrounds, commercial, and public properties, except for barbecues and natural gas/propane fire pits.
• 15% of the City's water production capacity has been increased by the new downtown well.
• The City's emergency response is being led by the Fredericton Fire Department, which has been trained to manage wildfire threats in both urban and forested environments.

Sources:

• City of Fredericton News Release, no date provided
• Province of New Brunswick's Fire Watch webpage (www.gnb.ca/firewatch)