Wildfires spur tourism's climate-risk wake-up call

HOPEWELL CAPE, New Brunswick — A week of province-wide restrictions on hiking, camping and other back-country pursuits has left New Brunswick’s tourism businesses outwardly calm yet inwardly recalibrating for a future in which wildfires may become as common a concern as tides and whales.

Wildfires put New Brunswick tourism on alert

On Aug. 8 the provincial government closed all Crown land after blazes had flared for almost two weeks across the province. The order barred hiking, back-country camping, fishing and motor-vehicle use in the woods; campfires were snuffed out even at private sites. Phyllis Sutherland, president of Fundy Tourism — the organization formerly known as Albert County Tourism Association — said the timing has prevented a dramatic downturn so far. “Most people still have the same numbers,” Sutherland said during an interview with local media — as Sutherland told local reporters. Guests had booked months earlier and, crucially, no flames are threatening her Ponderosa Pines Campground near Hopewell Rocks. Still, the abrupt closures have forced operators from Saint John to Sackville to confront how a hotter, drier climate could imperil one of Atlantic Canada’s signature visitor economies. Fundy Tourism plans to lobby for wildfire-readiness training and financial cushions for small businesses if future fire seasons erase bookings overnight.

Crown-land closures: What travelers can and cannot do

• CLOSED: All Crown land, including provincial forest trails, dispersed campsites, fishing holes and off-road routes. • OPEN: Licensed private campgrounds, beaches along the Bay of Fundy and the Northumberland Strait, waterways such as the Wolastoq (St. John River), municipal parks and most coastal roads. The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture declined an interview. In a prepared statement the agency said it is working with Natural Resources and Public Safety officials “to monitor the situation and prioritize the safety of our staff, residents and visitors.”

Campgrounds cope while counting on clouds

A prolonged rainless stretch triggered the blanket ban, but Sutherland hopes the next weather system will loosen restrictions. “We’re taking it one day at a time,” she added in the same interview — as Sutherland told local journalists. For now, campers swap evening bonfires for stargazing and settle for propane grills instead of open embers. Operators say visitors have largely accepted the rules. A handful of cancellations trickled in, yet no member of Fundy Tourism has altered operating hours or trimmed staff. The real fear is a blaze erupting close enough to trigger evacuations; most small campgrounds and bed-and-breakfasts lack business-interruption insurance robust enough to absorb an August shutdown.

Trail groups pivot messaging, not mission

Trans Canada Trail, steward of the 28,000-kilometer network that snakes through every province, is also revising its playbook. Chief Executive Officer Mathieu Roy noted that right now only segments on Crown land are off-limits; shoreline footpaths, rail-to-trail corridors and urban greenways remain open. “Not accessing Crown land doesn’t prevent you from enjoying beaches,” Roy said during a call with reporters. The organization already subsidizes local trail groups when storms blow down bridges or wash out berms. Roy wants to expand that safety-net model to wildfire threats and, equally important, educate hikers about travel alternatives when certain loops are closed. Kayaking the Fundy coast, paddling the Wolastoq or cycling coastal roads can keep visitors outdoors without putting communities at risk.

Building a climate-resilient Bay of Fundy experience

For tourism leaders, the closures serve as both warning and workshop. The weeklong pause has revealed gaps in emergency communication, evacuation planning and funding. Proposed next steps include:

• Creating a centralized text-alert system for operators and guests when fire bans tighten.
• Adding wildfire modules to the province’s existing Be Safe & Stay hospitality training course.
• Expanding low-interest loan programs so small inns and outfitters can install fire-resistant roofing, maintain wider buffer zones and buy smoke-filtration systems.
• Mapping alternate activity clusters — beaches, river routes, urban trails — so tour desks can reroute guests in real time.

Sutherland also wants a clearer line of sight into government compensation if a blaze forces an area closure during peak season. “The key point is what happens with the rain,” she said, underscoring how vulnerable bottom lines are to conditions no entrepreneur can control.

Tips for Travelers: Enjoying New Brunswick during fire season

• Check https://www2.gnb.ca each morning; restrictions can change daily.
• Pack a portable gas stove — open-flame campfires are prohibited until the ban lifts.
• Consider coastal alternatives: the Fundy Footpath’s shoreline sections, the Irving Nature Park near Saint John and the New Brunswick Museum’s new waterfront exhibits.
• Book cancellable accommodations; flexible policies protect both guest and host if smoke thickens.
• Respect closure signs. Fines start at CAD 1,000 for unauthorized entry onto Crown land.

FAQ: Your burning questions answered

Is my provincial park reservation affected?

Yes. Front-country camping in provincial parks situated on Crown land is suspended. Private campgrounds are not.

Can I still fish in tidal waters?

Yes. The ban covers inland waterways accessible only through forest roads. Shore or charter fishing on the Bay of Fundy is allowed.

Are festival events cancelled?

Most coastal festivals remain on the calendar. Check individual event pages for smoke-related updates.

What happens if it rains?

The Department of Natural Resources reviews fire danger indexes daily. Significant rainfall could lift or narrow the ban, but no timetable is guaranteed.

Looking ahead

New Brunswick’s tourism engine has weathered hurricanes, pandemic border closures and now early-season blazes. The common lesson: flexibility wins. Operators who diversify activities, educate guests and harden infrastructure stand the best chance of thriving as climate surprises mount. For travelers still dreaming of Hopewell Rocks at low tide or Fundy fog rolling across sea cliffs, the message is equally straightforward: come prepared, stay informed and leave no ember behind.