Premier John Hogan is urging the public to consider the spirit of the ATV ban imposed due to extremely dry conditions and the extreme fire risk.

All ATVs are banned from use in wooded areas where the fire index is high, very high or extreme, at least until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.

In the meantime, Hogan says a one-time exemption is being made for people already in the woods with no way out except on an off-road vehicle.

“This exemption ends at 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 15, 2025. This is if you were already in the woods at the time we put the restrictions in place yesterday (Wednesday, August 13.)”)

Hogan responds to abusive behaviour towards public servants

In the meantime, Hogan took a moment to express his dismay with people calling public servants and abusing and berating them over decisions made by government.

“That is totally unacceptable,” says Hogan, “these public servants are working day in and day out, 24/7 to make sure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are safe.”

“I know that they are doing everything they can to deliver good news to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and to tie up resources to vent their ridiculous, unfair and ugly and angry comments at public servants is completely unacceptable and is not who we are as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and that needs to stop.”