FREDERICTON (GNB) – The air quality issued earlier for the Minto-Chipman area has been lifted.

“Due to the fact the fire has been covered with sand and there are no signs of smoke, the air quality advisory has been lifted, said Dr. Cristin Muecke, deputy chief medical officer of health.

An air quality advisory had been issued Dec. 21 due to smoke from an industrial fire in the Minto industrial park. Subsequent air quality sampling while the fire was still burning did not show concerning results.

Public Health officials continue to work with the Department of Environment and Local Government and other officials to monitor the situation in Minto. Confirmatory air quality sampling is ongoing in the short term and will continue as needed.

A water advisory, warning users and residents on the industrial park water system not to consume water from this system, remains in place. The advisory includes residents of the W.G. Bishop Nursing Home and staff and users of the Queens North Community Health Centre.

“This particular advisory will remain in place until further assessments and testing of the industrial park water system show that the water is safe to drink,” said Muecke.