More people are being urged to evacuate in central Newfoundland because of a forest fire off the Bay d’Espoir Highway. Evacuation orders for Martin Lake and Great Rattling Brook have been extended to the Rushy Pond area and the access road, about 30km from the TCH.
All cabin owners are being asked to leave their cabins immediately.
The fire is 20 km from Grand Falls-Windsor, but officials say it should be blowing away from that community.
(Photo via GOV NL)
The wildfire raging near Kingston has doubled in size since yesterday, but conditions are looking favourable today as suppression efforts continue.
Premier John Hogan provided an update on three fires burning across the province earlier this morning, noting that low winds in all areas will be a big help.
(Photo submitted by Ed Harris)
Hogan says the Kingston blaze is currently 1,432 hectares in size, but it has grown inland and away from communities.
The “southern flank” of the fire, which would be moving toward communities, is in “good shape” according to Hogan.
That has allowed the government to set up a command centre in Salmon Cove. He says they feel confident enough to send their crews in there, and hopes that gives people in the area some comfort – noting they still must be on alert in case things change
(Government of NL/YouTube)
Hogan says there are no new reports of homes being lost, but due to smokey conditions that will take some time to confirm. Additionally, some cabins may have been lost in the Broad Cove Pond area.
There has been virtually no change in the Holyrood fire and crews are still working on it.
Fires Lit in Metro During Ban
Meanwhile, there is a provincial fire ban in place and the premier says government is looking at increasing the fines for those who violate said ban – with fines as high as $25,000.
He says the penalty can be as low as $75 which is “way too low,” and government is looking at their legislation and regulations right now to increase those to “serious dollar numbers” for future violations.
The St. John’s Regional Fire Department was called out to three bonfires yesterday after the ban was put in place, something which irritates Hogan to no end. .
A province-wide fire ban is now in effect in Newfoundland and Labrador and will remain in place until at least Sept. 7, when a determination will be made about its status. More info:https://t.co/Tncl9JO1St #GovNL @GovNL @JPS_GovNL @OLA_GovNL pic.twitter.com/CnDV87T660
— Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture NL (@FFA_GovNL) August 5, 2025
“Minister Haggie said it is nuts, like the province is on fire and we only have so many assets to go around and to have a provincial fire ban in place and the day the ban is in place to have bonfires here in the city, I’m so disappointed and frustrated and angry.”
Hogan pleads with people to think about the consequences of their actions before having a fire.
Anyone who does see a bonfire of any kind is asked to contact their local fire department.
