Fire department urges caution in the woods after brush fire in Fundy Shores, N.B.

A brush fire in Saint John, N.B., is under control but officials suspect human activity is the culprit.

The Musquash Fire Department is urging people to be careful in the woods after they responded to a brush fire off the Old Saint John Road in Fundy Shores, N.B., Sunday afternoon.

The fire department received the call shortly after 4 p.m. It says about 30 firefighters, two engines, two utility vehicles and a side-by-side all responded to the scene, along with the Eastern Charlotte Fire Department and Department of Natural Resources.

Musquash Fire Department Chief Wayne Pollock says it was a challenge to find the fire and it took crews about four hours to knock it down. The fire was declared out by 8 p.m. Sunday.

“It’s dry, surprising how quick it’s drying up,” said Pollock. “It’s the underbrush, is what’s catching, and then it was going to the top of the trees there yesterday too.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation, though Pollock suspects a cigarette or a small campfire is to blame.

He expects it will be another dry summer in New Brunswick and is urging people to be mindful when in the woods or having a campfire.

“It’s very important that they check before they burn or have a campfire that burning is allowed,” said Pollock. “If you can have some water available with a bucket or a pump can or whatever, if you’re going to have a fire, try to be prepared.”

New Brunswick launched its wildfire season early this year due to record-low precipitation levels, a lack of snow, and prolonged drought conditions.

The province previously said it would spend $6.7 million to strengthen wildfire preparedness and response efforts this year after a busy wildfire season last year.

New Brunswickers can check the Fire Watch page or the wildfire dashboard for the latest information on burn notices and fire conditions. The dashboard is updated at 2 p.m. each day throughout the season.

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Avery MacRae

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.