An Indigenous fisherman is expected to appear on Thursday in a northern New Brunswick courtroom, where he will launch a constitutional challenge that could prove pivotal for First Nations across the Maritimes.

On Sept. 17, 2020, the Sipekne'katik First Nation issued five lobster licences to its members, saying they could trap and sell their catch outside the federally regulated season.

Hurricane Lee is expected to move into western Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick on Saturday, bringing heavy rains, high winds, and powerful waves, Environment Canada said in an update Friday morning.

Bill Moore, the region's executive director of community safety, told a news conference that about 200 people would be part of the grim tour through subdivisions northwest of the downtown, which fire officials said would be safe to enter for a short time

In all, there were four wildfires in the province burning out of control on Thursday, including the massive Barrington Lake fire in Shelburne County, which grew to more than 200 square kilometres despite a constant bombardment of water and fire retardant from a fleet of water bombers and air tankers.

Fire officials were hoping for a break in the dry, windy weather, but the forecast did not call for any rainfall until Friday night.

Fire officials said that with the return of dry, windy conditions, there could be a "reburn" in the evacuated subdivisions, which are spread out over 100 square kilometres.

The latest official population estimate for the world's most endangered species of whale is grim.

The population of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales isn't declining as fast as it was five years ago, but researchers say the latest numbers show the species is still having a tough time surviving and reproducing.

Tim Houston issued a statement Wednesday saying it's unacceptable that there are Nova Scotians who still can't call 911 or connect with loved ones.