Fire-favourable conditions in Atlantic Canada could incite new blazes
Parts of Atlantic Canada are experiencing a high wildfire threat and multiple blazes as favourable fire weather conditions continue
A dangerous stretch is being seen across Atlantic Canada as favourable weather conditions lead to very high fire danger throughout much of the region.
Hot temperatures and a relative lack of precipitation may allow any blazes that spark to quickly grow out of control. Provincewide fire bans are in effect for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador. An evacuation alert was issued for parts of the towns Conception Bay South and Paradise, N.L., on Monday evening as the out-of-control Thomas Pond wildfire quickly grew to 200 hectares since it started earlier in the day.
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Multi-day extreme heat event on tap
A strong ridge of high pressure building over Eastern Canada has allowed some of the season’s hottest temperatures to blanket Atlantic Canada. Heat warnings are already in effect across portions of Newfoundland, including St. John’s.
Temperatures will soar well into the 30s for many communities away from the immediate coastline, with some spots in New Brunswick expecting daytime highs in the mid-30s for the beginning of the work week.
In fact, some noteworthy temperatures were established on Monday.
Miramichi, N.B.: 37.2°C--second-warmest August temperature on record (Aug. 12, 1944 - 37.8°C)
Halifax International Airport, N.S.: 33.4°C--third-warmest August temperature on record (data since 1953). Warmest August temperature: 35°C on Aug. 1, 1995.
Goose Bay, N.L.: 35.3°C--tying the August all-time temperature record from Aug. 8, 1996
The long-duration high heat and relative lack of rainfall has led to a sharp increase in the fire danger throughout Atlantic Canada.
Extreme fire danger—the worst category—covered most of the Avalon Peninsula over the weekend.
Very high fire danger will stretch from the Bay of Fundy shores through Prince Edward Island, as well as around Gander, N.L.
The resilient ridge responsible for the extended heat will deflect moisture away from Atlantic Canada over the next few days, keeping the fire danger high. Very little rainfall is in the forecast for the next five days, with some hope for precipitation late-week with the arrival of a trough, but confidence remains low.
Parts of Newfoundland and Labrador could see some of its hottest August days on record this week.
WATCH: Hot and dry, Atlantic Canada hit hard by wildfires
Widespread fire bans and restrictions in place
Crews were actively battling several out-of-control blazes in Newfoundland this weekend. The largest was the Kingston Fire, which has burned nearly 5,000 hectares on the Avalon Peninsula between Kingston and Perry’s Cove.
Here’s a look at the status of fire and outdoor activity bans across Atlantic Canada as of Aug. 9.
Newfoundland:
A provincewide burn ban is in effect until Sept. 7 across Newfoundland and Labrador. “Fires are banned within 300 metres or 1,000 feet of a forested area,” according to the provincial government’s website, and “permits to burn grass, brush or other materials are cancelled.”
New Brunswick:
A provincewide burn ban is currently in effect due to the wildfire danger across New Brunswick. A notice posted to the provincial government’s website said all Crown land in the province closed on Sunday, Aug. 10, “due to an extreme wildfire hazard.”
Nova Scotia:
A provincewide burn ban is currently in effect due to the wildfire danger across Nova Scotia. In addition to the burn ban, the government has also restricted travel and activity in woods across the province.
“Hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods are not permitted, trail systems through woods are off limits and camping is allowed only in campgrounds,” per a notice published on the Government of Nova Scotia’s fire restrictions page. Anyone caught violating the restriction could face a fine up to $25,000.
Prince Edward Island:
Domestic brush burning is prohibited across the island as a result of very high fire conditions, according to the province’s website. Burning permits have been suspended for Category 2, 3, and 4 fires.
“At this time, there is not a complete ban on outdoor burning. Campfires that are used for cooking or warmth are allowed,” the province said on Saturday, Aug. 9.
Officials added: “Provincial staff monitor the weather conditions each day and will make adjustments to restrictions based on public safety.”
Header image created using graphics and imagery from NOAA, NASA, and Canva.