The Department of Natural Resources held an information session for the media on September 19 at their Pleasant Street office and took journalists to the site of the Oldfield Road fire. The fire began on August 13 and was spotted by two rangers who were on their way to Campbellton. They alerted the Miramichi Fire Department, but the fire soon got out of control. The DNR says the fire was man-made, but accidental, and they don’t expect to know the exact cause unless someone comes forward to take responsibility. The fire burned more than 1,400 hectares and is still being monitored. Higher humidity and cooler, shorter days have helped reduce the danger, but Forest Ranger Bob Amos said that hunting season will be a risk as the woods are drier than normal, and with burned root systems in the burned areas, sudden tree fallings pose a risk to people in the woods.

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Amos said that at the peak of activity there were about 125 firefighters and 20 pieces of equipment, including bulldozers, excavators, and other equipment to haul water to the scene. There were trailers set up near the site for staff and rest and meal areas for the firefighters, equipment that had been purchased with joint funding from the provincial and federal government. Amos said that the fire was difficult because resources had to be shared between simultaneous fires, and fires near populated areas took precedence, meaning that resources from Miramichi were at times diverted to Moncton.

Amos said the light winds and a little rain were helpful, but on August 13 there were several lightning strikes that started fires, and at one time there were eight columns of smoke that could be seen. He said bird-dog planes were directing water bombers to areas where they were needed, and they were successful in helping control the fire, which had a front that traveled as much as 2 kilometers a day. Amos said the water bombers were effective in dropping retardant and water to create firebreaks and help control the expansion of the fire.

At one point, the efforts were concentrated near the Kenna Road area as the fire was approaching structures. Amos said this was a bad fire season because of prolonged heat and dry conditions. He said recent investments and the sharing of manpower between provinces keep the firefighting services ready for action. Firefighters undergo a few weeks of training and continuous training after they join the ranks. Amos said firefighters from Ontario and the other Atlantic provinces joined the efforts until they were needed elsewhere. Safety was the main concern, as it was important for the firefighters to get rest and stay hydrated in the hot conditions. There were also times when the firefighters had to pull back because of shifting winds and the danger that the fire would get behind them.

Amos was asked about the effect of the fire on wildlife—he said crews saw many deer, moose, and bears, but all were alive and managed to find safety away from the fire.

Amos was asked a question about the effects of clearcutting on forest fires but he was not permitted to answer as the department had already issued a press release on the issue.