The Latest Information as of 7:00 a.m.
Premier John Hogan and several of other officials will provide another update on the province’s wildfire situation this morning.
The update is slated for 10 a.m. NST, 9:30 a.m. in most of Labrador. VOCM News will carry it live.
LISTEN: Fire Duty Officer Provides an Update on Your VOCM Mornings – Thursday, August 14, 2025
Martin Lake Fire
The Martin Lake fire as seen from Grand Falls-Windsor (Submitted)
The fire at Martin Lake in central Newfoundland doubled in size yesterday, prompting officials to extend the evacuation advisory to the Paradise Lake area.
Fire Duty Officer Mark Lawlor says the blaze is now about 2,000 hectares.
All cabin owners in that area, as well as in the vicinity of Martin Lake, Great Rattling Brook and Rushy Pond are being advised to leave immediately.
The Bay d’Espoir Highway remains closed from Sunday Pond Resource Road to Cat Brook and the public is urged to stay away.
Those who are unable to return to their homes because of the highway closure are being assisted by the Canadian Red Cross. Those who need support are asked to call 1-800-863-6582.
Paddy’s Pond Fire
Waterbomber working to supress fires on the Avalon Peninsula, August 2025 (photo submitted by Ryan Hayden)
The fire at Paddy’s Pond did not grow yesterday, however it remains very active and Lawlor says we are not in the clear yet.
The blaze is about 300 hectares in size.
There were no new evacuation alerts or orders issued yesterday, however those previously issued remain in effect.
The Trans Canada remains closed in both directions from the cloverleaf to the Foxtrap Access Road.
A fire break was completed on the northern edge and crews will work to establish more on the east and west boundaries.
Suppression efforts will continue through the use of water bombers, helicopters and resources on the ground.
St. John’s Regional Fire Department was assisted on the ground by volunteer firefighters from Portugal Cove-St. Philips and Torbay. Crews from St. John’s International Airport also provided support.
Kingston Fire
(Vintage Bay de Verde/Facebook)
The fire burning in Conception Bay North was also extremely active yesterday with the blaze last mapped at 6,500 hectares in size.
Crews spent the day battling the blaze on the southern edge on the ground and in the sky with assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces and volunteer firefighters.
Work continues on establishing fire breaks in the area.
Holyrood Fire
Crews were deployed to the Holyrood fire again yesterday evening to tackle a few hotspots. The fire remains listed as under control with minimal fire behaviour being observed. The Town of Holyrood says crews are responding accordingly when hot spots occur. Residents are being asked to stay away from the area and reduce any unnecessary water use.
Evacuation ORDERS
– Town of Small Point–Adam’s Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove
– Town of Salmon Cove
– Unincorporated area of Western Bay
– Unincorporated area of Kingston
– Unincorporated area of Perry’s Cove
– Unincorporated area of Ochre Pit Cove
– Unincorporated area of Burnt Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay
– Paddy’s Pond Industrial Area, including Akita Equipment and surrounding buildings, hangers, Cochrane Pond Family Campground, Country Ribbon Chicken Farm, Sod Farm and the Forestry Depot.
– Portion of the Town of Paradise – ALL properties adjacent to Three Island Pond, including Three Island Pond Road to the intersection of Buckingham Drive, Ellington Close, Angels Road, Hansen Place, Vanellen Place, Dawe Road, Balsamwood Road, Stokes Road and Shalloway Place.
Current Evacuation ALERTS
– Areas known as Southlands and Galway, within the City of St. John’s.
– Town of Paradise: the area on the south side of Topsail Road from the Outer Ring Road exit to CBS boundary, with the exception of ALL properties adjacent to Three Island Pond, including Three Island Pond Road to the intersection of Buckingham Drive, Ellington Close, Angels Road, Hansen Place, Vanellen Place, Dawe Road, Balsamwood Road, Stokes Road and Shalloway Place.
– Town of Conception Bay South: starting at Paradise Outer Ring Road turn-off, on to Route 60 through to Manuels River Bridge, up Peacekeeper’s Way to the cloverleaf on the Trans-Canada Highway and back to the Paradise Trans-Canada Highway turnoff.
– Town of Victoria.
Current Evacuation ADVISORIES
– Cabin owners in the Martin Lake, Great Rattling Brook, Rushy Pond and Paradise Lake areas off Route 360 (Bay d’Espoir Highway), including all cabins from Rushy Pond to Paradise Lake.
