An air quality advisory was issued in the Fredericton area Monday due to smoke from brush fires burning near CFB Gagetown.
Officials say the smoke is affecting air quality and certain people are at risk of developing serious symptoms.
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“Residents should take precautions when heavy smoke affects air quality,” Dr. Na-Koshie Lamptey, regional medical officer of health for the Central Region in Fredericton, said in a news release.
“Infants, children, pregnant women, older adults, smokers and people with chronic heart or lung diseases should stay indoors to reduce their exposure to the outdoor air.”
Base Gagetown public affairs officer Stéphanie Duchesne says there are three fires currently burning, but they do not pose a danger to nearby homes.
Two of the fires have reached 500 hectares in size each and the third fire is 26 hectares in size.
Duchesne says the fires were caused by ammunition used during training exercises.
“These fires have been burning for about two weeks now,” said Duchesne. “Fires are actually not uncommon in our range and training area during the summer months.”
Duchesne says the fires are not at risk of spreading beyond the training area, however, the fires are located in so-called ‘impact areas’ where munitions routinely land as part of training exercises.
As a result, crews cannot enter the area by foot or in vehicles because there could be unexploded ordnances.
Crews have been creating fire breaks around the fires so they don’t spread. Two water bombers from Quebec have been helping to battle the fires since yesterday.
Meanwhile, there have been restrictions placed on military training on the base.
“Anything that can cause fire is not allowed at this moment,” she said.
Fredericton-area resident Violet Parsons, who suffers from asthma, says she has been using her puffer more in recent days.
“I’ve been trying to stay in and I turn up my air exchanger because I can smell it coming in,” she said. “I’m keeping all the windows closed.”
Public health is recommending New Brunswickers reduce physical activity, consider staying indoors and turning off air exchangers if they can taste or smell smoke.
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They say if smoke conditions become more severe, people may experience eye and throat irritation or even shortness of breath.
With a file from Shelley Steeves