Thunderstorms bring new risks - province
Potential for lightning strikes with expected precipitation creates new concerns for fires
OK, when it comes to the weather and wildfire concerns, there’s good news - and bad news.
The good news: there’s rain in the forecast for many parts of the province, but in select areas of New Brunswick, meteorologists are predicting possible thunderstorms - with lightning strikes.
The provincial Department of Natural Resources provided an update Wednesday afternoon about wildfires still burning in New Brunswick and the potential for new ones.
It noted in a news release there are 16 active fires, two of which are deemed as out of control - at Oldfield Road in Miramichi and the Irishtown district of Maple Hills.
Firefighters, government officials and New Brunswickers in general have been wishing for rain and a break in the hot, dry conditions, and while that’s coming, the department says, it brings new risks.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast around the province, it said, and with thunderstorms come the potential for lightning strikes, which pose a high risk for new fires due to the dry conditions.
“While we welcome any rain we may see later today or tomorrow, we are concerned about the lightning that might come with it,” Natural Resources Minister John Herron said in the release.
“While this break from extreme heat is a relief, this change brings its own dangers with it, and we need New Brunswickers to continue to take all possible precautions to limit the likelihood of starting any more fires.”
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather service issued severe thunderstorm warnings Wednesday afternoon for northern New Brunswick, Miramichi and Renous.
In Fredericton, the federal weather service is forecasting a risk of a thunderstorm Wednesday evening. For Thursday, it’s calling for cloudy conditions in the morning with showers, and the risk of thunderstorms return Thursday afternoon, with as much as 10 millimetres of rain expected. The high temperature for Thursday in the capital is forecast to be 27 C, with a humidex of 35 C.
Becoming cloudy in the morning with showers. Risk of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Amount 10 mm in the heaviest showers. High 27. Humidex 35. UV index 3 or moderate.
Night A few showers ending in the evening then clearing. Risk of a thunderstorm early in the evening. Low 14.
Provincial officials urged residents to take precautions but also to check in on neighbours, family and friends.
The Natural Resources department reminded New Brunswickers that the burn ban, which includes campfires in provincial parks, remains in effect for the entire province, and recreational activities on Crown lands aren’t permitted.
While forestry operations such as harvesting, forwarding, skidding, scarification, chipping and all pre-commercial thinning and cleaning remain suspended indefinitely, the release said, some forestry-related operations will resume Wednesday night or Thursday night where fire risk can be mitigated.
“For instance, peat piles may be reduced since they can cause a fire hazard,” it said.
“As well, if a mill has less than a five-day supply of harvested trees, trucks will be allowed to go into the woods to get that supply.”
The government is also allowing blueberries harvesting on Crown land, but it can only be done under specific conditions, such as working at night and with firefighting equipment on site.
The province also reiterated that every household at risk of evacuation should have a kit stocked with everything their family would need for at least 72 hours, including medication and important documents, as well as pets and supplies.
Public officials are also expecting a strong chance that wildfires will give rise to air-quality concerns in certain areas of New Brunswick.
“Infants, children, pregnant women, older adults, smokers and people with chronic heart or lung disease should stay indoors to reduce their exposure to the outdoor air,” the release said.
“If smoke conditions become severe, people may experience eye or throat irritation and possibly shortness of breath. People should adapt their activities as necessary.”
The provincial government advised people earlier this week to conserve water, given dry conditions and scant rain have depleted surface-water and groundwater levels, and that advice remains in effect as well.
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