Residents of the Conception Bay North Shore, many of whom have been out of their homes for more than a week, are frustrated and feel deserted now that waterbombers that had been focused on the Kingston fire have been diverted to Paddy’s Pond.

Many structures have been consumed by the fire, but the full extent of the devastation is still not known, and the fire spread into Ochre Pit Cove last night.

Jackie King, who lives in Perry’s Cove which was evacuated last week, says local firefighters who have been working since the fire began need the support.

“This is day 10 for them, and they’ve had support come from everywhere and now that support is being pulled, to go to Paddy’s Pond. Not only ground crews, but air support as well. The not knowing, the lack of information, is killing us.”

Area residents gathered at Paddy’s Garden in Carbonear at 11:00 to voice their frustration.

“We don’t even know when the waterbombers are coming back” King told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly, “we don’t know when all the support is supposed to be coming from our national friends” In the meantime she says nerves are frayed with unconfirmed information circulating on social media indicating that their communities have been decimated.

Ochre Pit Cove businessowner and resident shares feeling of desperation

Tracy Shute, a resident and businessowner in Ochre Pit Cove says her understanding is there is no assistance on the ground to fight what she calls a monster of a fire today.

She understands that resources have to be split, but the thousands of people affected in the region feel let down.

“To the best of my knowledge” says Shute, “we have no assistance on the ground or in the air today. On top of people’s desperation and sadness…today a lot of people feel deserted.”