Fire crews have been kept busy over the last day or so battling two wildfires that have forced the evacuation of residents from several areas.
The fire burning near Kingston grew in size yesterday evening, prompting officials to extend the evacuation order to the town of Western Bay. Residents of Ochre Pit Cove have been put on an evacuation alert, meaning they should be prepared to leave at a moments notice.
Fire Duty Officer Jeff Motty says the fire’s growth yesterday evening took crews by surprise because that time of day is usually where crews would see an increase in relative humidity, which would help with suppression efforts.
They are saying the fire is about 258 hectares, but Motty notes the fire is larger than that – they just can’t accurately map it because of heavy smoke.
Via Eugene Howell, taken near Burnt Point.
Crews are also continuing to battle a forest fire about 50 km away in Holyrood that forced the evacuation of some residents in that town and nearby Conception Bay South yesterday.
Water bombers, helicopters and ground crews have also been deployed to tackle that blaze, which is about 20 hectares in size.
Ground crews and local fire departments have been working through the night focusing on structure protection.
Motty says they have received a bird dog from New Brunswick to help battle the fire which will help with coordination of the air space and “make every drop more effective.”
A fire ban is in place for eastern and central Newfoundland, as well as parts of the south coast.
Environment Canada meteorologist Justin Boudreau says despite the lack of precipitation, conditions should be favourable today.
He says the temperatures shouldn’t be overwhelmingly warm and a shift in the winds should push the fire toward where it started.
Meanwhile, Newfoundland Power has shut off electricity from Kingston to the end of Adam’s Cove to help with the wildfire response.
