Evacuees allowed to return home, Saint Andrews-area fire still out of control

Residents of the communities surrounding Saint Andrews whose homes were evacuated because of a forest fire may now return, said Mayor Brad Henderson during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

The fire, that forced hundreds of people from their homes and destroyed a house in southwestern New Brunswick, continues to be deemed active and out of control.

"When you do return home ... although the firefighters are definitely feeling confident about the distance between structures, it is still an active fire. So you still have to be aware of your surroundings," said Henderson.

Roadblocks on Highway 127 will be taken down so people can get to their properties.

Henderson said although people are now allowed to return, the emergency shelter in Saint Andrews will remain open for those who wish to stay another night in the community.

The blaze in the Bocabec area, near Saint Andrews, started with an ATV fire and spread to 617 acres, or about 250 hectares, by Monday morning.

But Roger Collet, a wildfire management officer with the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, says that crews made a lot of progress Monday keeping the fire in check and protecting homes.

Water bombers spread a lot of fire retardant over the blaze Monday. The bombers that were in use the last few days are on standby Tuesday, said Collet, and are ready to take to the air if necessary. Firefighting efforts are happening on the ground.

"As days go on, then we can work at getting a little deeper into the burn area and make sure things don't get going again," he said.

Henderson said the forecast is calling for wind but it's not been gusting as strongly as on Monday. But he said another day could bring the fire under control.

"Although there's reason to be concerned, there's also reason to be optimistic," he said.