Practicing UXO Safety at the Former Tracadie Range, New Brunswick
Training at past military sites often involved the use of ammunition that contained explosives, some of which did not function as intended. These old military munitions are called unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO). UXO may still be present at the former Tracadie Range and can be dangerous if disturbed.
The Department of National Defence (DND) is resuming UXO clearance work at the former Tracadie Range to ensure it remains safe for recreational activities. This work will be carried out for public safety reasons and not to support blueberry development. Trees will not be clear cut.
UXO clearance work in 2024
To ensure safe community use of the site, DND will be clearing UXO from targeted areas of the former range from May to December 2024. All UXO work will be performed in open areas and between trees. Only trees that pose a hazard to workers will be removed if absolutely necessary. Low-lying brush will be removed in areas with dense vegetation.
- Start of work: May 6, 2024
- End of work: December 2024
- Locations: ARA-1 West, and ARA-6 Extension (see UXO risk map for locations)
We encourage you to continue to use good judgement and caution when at the former Tracadie Range. This includes staying on designated trails and avoiding digging or starting campfires.
History of the former Tracadie Range
From 1939 to 1994, the former Tracadie Range was used by DND for military training and weapons practice. As this property was transferred to New Brunswick in 1997, the province is responsible for any land development plans. DND continues to work closely with the province to support safe community use of the site.
To ensure former military sites remain safe for Canadians, DND regularly assesses these areas for UXO. Through its UXO program, DND conducts ongoing research, interviews, and in-person site visits. If any possible risks are identified, active steps are taken to inform the public and perform the necessary UXO site surveys and clearance work.
Text version
If you see something that looks like it may be UXO, please follow these steps:
- Don't touch it.
- Turn around and leave the area the same way you came in.
- Call 911 or local police.
If you have any questions about DND's UXO activities at the former Tracadie Range, please contact us by e-mail at UXOCanada@forces.gc.ca
Through its UXO program, DND is working to reduce UXO risks at former military sites across Canada and ensure these areas are safe for Canadians. To learn more about UXO safety and DND’s UXO program, visit: Canada.ca/UXO-Safety.
Figure 1 – UXO Residual Risk Map of the Former Tracadie Range,
UXO removal in ARA-1 West and ARA-6 Extension during 2024
Figure 1 – Long description
The map shows the boundaries of the former Tracadie range. The range is divided into different sections of various sizes called Ammunition Related Areas (ARAs) which are numbered from ARA-1 to ARA-11. Each ARA is coloured in accordance with its UXO residual risk rating. Red for high risk, yellow for medium risk, light green for low risk, and dark green for low-risk high munition debris. Yellow stripe is for a temporary medium UXO risk rating which is awaiting further investigation. ARA-1 East, ARA-2, ARA-4, and ARA-11 form most of the range, are located mostly on the perimeter of the range and are light green in colour. A small area identified as ARA-9, in the central northern section, is light green with a small dark green section on its south-eastern side. Medium sized areas identified as ARA-3 and ARA-6, located centrally, are yellow. A medium sized area identified as ARA-7 and ARA-8, located in the northwestern quadrant, are yellow with dispersed smaller dark green areas. A medium sized area identified as ARA-5, in the central area, is red. A medium sized area identified as ARA-10, in the northeastern quadrant, is dark green. A small area identified as ARA-1 West, near the central eastern boundary, is light green except for its western and southern zones which are red. A small area identified as ARA-6 extension, located between ARA-1 West and ARA-6, is yellow striped. The scale is 1:70000.
UXO clearance work will start May 6 in targeted areas of ARA-1 West and ARA-6 Extension where surveys in 2023 identified the possible presence of UXO.
Figure 2 – UXO Safety Sign
Figure 2 – Text version
Caution!
Former military training area
If you see something that looks like it may be unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO):
- Don't touch it
- Turn around and leave the area
- Call 911 or local police
- No dig area
- Stay on trails
- No camp fires
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