There are encouraging signs coming out of central Newfoundland, as forest fires seem to be remaining stable in size.

Crews are conducting an assessment later today, however, Provincial Fire Duty Officer Jeff Motty says overnight reports suggest that the fires have remained stable, with four fires on the board.

Motty says they hope to declare a fire near Deer Pond as out once they’re able to do a visual assessment. Three are still labeled “out of control,” but Motty feels like they have turned a corner.

He says they have been in initial attack mode, but are on the bubble of switching to a sustained attack, which involves containing the fire and cleaning up the perimeter.

He says the Paradise Lake and Bay d’Espoir Highway fires will take a bit longer to change from their out of control status, however, he’s hopeful they can make a status change on the Southern Lake Access Road fire as early as today.

He says they directed a significant amount of resources at that fire, as they focused on Southern Lake when it was too dangerous for crews to fight the larger fires.