Large forest fire in northern New Brunswick 80 per cent contained

Aug. 17, 2021, Saint-Quentin, N.B. – Fire officials say a large forest fire in northern New Brunswick that has burned about 64 hectares east of Mount Carleton Provincial Park is 80 per cent contained.

Kelly Cormier, a spokesperson for the Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Department, said Monday about 60 firefighters were working to put out the fire.

She says that on the first day of the blaze, an air tanker crashed into the side of a hill in heavy woods approximately one kilometre from the site of the fire, but she says the pilot was able to get out of the plane and was treated for minor injuries.

Cormier says no structures are threatened nor is the provincial park.

She says the terrain is rough and hilly, adding that high temperatures have added to the challenges of extinguishing the flames.

There is no word on the cause.