Miramichi Fire
Encyclopedia
The Great Miramichi Fire refers to a massive forest fire (or series of fires) which devastated forests and communities throughout much of northern New Brunswick
in October 1825. It ranks among the three largest forest fires ever recorded in North America. About 1/3 of the homes in Fredericton were destroyed, but the main devastation was 100 miles (160.9 km) to the northeast. On the evening of October 7, 1825, the firestorm
roared through Newcastle, New Brunswick
(now part of the City of Miramichi
), and in less than 3 hours reduced the town of 1,000 people to ruins - of 260 original buildings, only 12 remained. Only 6 of 70 buildings survived in the adjacent village of Douglastown
. The fire similarly destroyed other communities, including Moorefield, Napan, and Black River. Chatham
, Nelson
, and Doaktown
escaped the fire. The cause of the blaze is not known, but was likely of human origin.
To escape the blaze many residents took refuge with livestock and wildlife in the Miramichi River
- about 160 people died in and around Newcastle, including prisoners in the Newcastle Jail. Elsewhere, the totals were likely higher, given the number of lumbermen in the forests at the time (about 3000).
In total the fire(s) consumed almost 16,000 km² (about 1/5 of New Brunswick's forests). The blaze has been partly attributed to unusually hot weather in the fall and summer of 1825, coupled with outdoor fires by settlers and loggers.
The communities were soon rebuilt, but many of those affected moved to communities bordering the Bay of Chaleur, including Campbellton
, Dalhousie
, Belledune
, and the southern Gaspé
coast. It is also probable that some of the displaced persons established a community in the Ottawa Valley formerly known as Miramichi, now known as Pembroke, Ontario
. Although the lumber industry recovered, the fire is considered responsible for the end of the mast
-making industry on the Miramichi River
.
The event is immortalised in the 1959 Folkways Records
recording of Miramichi Fire, a traditional folksong included on the album Folksongs of Maine.
The fire is also the centerpiece of Valerie Sherrard
's first historical novel, Three Million Acres of Flame.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
in October 1825. It ranks among the three largest forest fires ever recorded in North America. About 1/3 of the homes in Fredericton were destroyed, but the main devastation was 100 miles (160.9 km) to the northeast. On the evening of October 7, 1825, the firestorm
Firestorm
A firestorm is a conflagration which attains such intensity that it creates and sustains its own wind system. It is most commonly a natural phenomenon, created during some of the largest bushfires, forest fires, and wildfires...
roared through Newcastle, New Brunswick
Newcastle, New Brunswick
Newcastle is a Canadian urban neighbourhood in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick.Prior to municipal amalgamation in 1995, it was an incorporated town and the shire town of Northumberland County....
(now part of the City of Miramichi
Miramichi, New Brunswick
Miramichi is the largest city in northern New Brunswick, Canada. It is situated at the mouth of the Miramichi River where it enters Miramichi Bay...
), and in less than 3 hours reduced the town of 1,000 people to ruins - of 260 original buildings, only 12 remained. Only 6 of 70 buildings survived in the adjacent village of Douglastown
Douglastown, New Brunswick
Douglastown is a Canadian suburban neighbourhood in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick.Prior to municipal amalgamation on January 1, 1995, Douglastown was an incorporated village in Northumberland County....
. The fire similarly destroyed other communities, including Moorefield, Napan, and Black River. Chatham
Chatham, New Brunswick
Chatham is a Canadian urban neighbourhood in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick.Prior to municipal amalgamation in 1995, Chatham was an incorporated town in Northumberland County along the south bank of the Miramichi River opposite Douglastown...
, Nelson
Nelson-Miramichi, New Brunswick
Nelson-Miramichi is a Canadian suburban neighbourhood in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick.Prior to municipal amalgamation on January 1, 1995, Nelson-Miramichi was an incorporated village in Northumberland County and one of the oldest European settlements in the Miramichi Valley.Earl J...
, and Doaktown
Doaktown, New Brunswick
Doaktown is a Canadian village in Northumberland County, New Brunswick.-History:It is situated on the Southwest Miramichi River and was first settled in 1807 for use as a base for the growing lumber industry in central New Brunswick...
escaped the fire. The cause of the blaze is not known, but was likely of human origin.
To escape the blaze many residents took refuge with livestock and wildlife in the Miramichi River
Miramichi River
The Miramichi River is a Canadian river located in the east-central part of New Brunswick. The river drains into Miramichi Bay in the Gulf of St. Lawrence...
- about 160 people died in and around Newcastle, including prisoners in the Newcastle Jail. Elsewhere, the totals were likely higher, given the number of lumbermen in the forests at the time (about 3000).
In total the fire(s) consumed almost 16,000 km² (about 1/5 of New Brunswick's forests). The blaze has been partly attributed to unusually hot weather in the fall and summer of 1825, coupled with outdoor fires by settlers and loggers.
The communities were soon rebuilt, but many of those affected moved to communities bordering the Bay of Chaleur, including Campbellton
Campbellton, New Brunswick
Campbellton is a Canadian city in Restigouche County, New Brunswick.Situated on the south bank of the Restigouche River opposite Pointe-à-la-Croix, Quebec, Campbellton was officially incorporated in 1889 and achieved city status in 1958.Forestry and tourism are major industries in the regional...
, Dalhousie
Dalhousie, New Brunswick
Dalhousie is a Canadian town located in Restigouche County, New Brunswick.- History :Dalhousie is the shire town of Restigouche County and dates European settlement to 1800. The Town of Dalhousie has been through some very distinct periods between its founding in 1825 and today...
, Belledune
Belledune, New Brunswick
Belledune is a Canadian village in Gloucester County, New Brunswick.The little community of Belledune represents an amalgamation of Jacquet River, Armstrong Brook, and Belledune in 1994...
, and the southern Gaspé
Gaspé Peninsula
The Gaspésie , or Gaspé Peninsula or the Gaspé, is a peninsula along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada, extending into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
coast. It is also probable that some of the displaced persons established a community in the Ottawa Valley formerly known as Miramichi, now known as Pembroke, Ontario
Pembroke, Ontario
Pembroke is a city in the province of Ontario, Canada, at the confluence of the Muskrat River and the Ottawa River in the Ottawa Valley...
. Although the lumber industry recovered, the fire is considered responsible for the end of the mast
Mast (sailing)
The mast of a sailing vessel is a tall, vertical, or near vertical, spar, or arrangement of spars, which supports the sails. Large ships have several masts, with the size and configuration depending on the style of ship...
-making industry on the Miramichi River
Miramichi River
The Miramichi River is a Canadian river located in the east-central part of New Brunswick. The river drains into Miramichi Bay in the Gulf of St. Lawrence...
.
The event is immortalised in the 1959 Folkways Records
Folkways Records
Folkways Records was a record label founded by Moses Asch that documented folk, world, and children's music. It was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution in 1987, and is now part of Smithsonian Folkways.-History:...
recording of Miramichi Fire, a traditional folksong included on the album Folksongs of Maine.
The fire is also the centerpiece of Valerie Sherrard
Valerie Sherrard
Valerie Sherrard is a Canadian author of books for children and young adults including the multi award winning novel The Glory Wind, Kate, Speechless, and the Shelby Belgarden mystery series....
's first historical novel, Three Million Acres of Flame.