Residents of the Conception Bay North Shore are starting to be notified about property losses as a result of the fire that started in the Kingston area two weeks ago and has spread to Northern Bay.

The fire, which has affected nine communities along the north shore, has now surpassed 9,000 hectares.

An evacuation alert for the community of Job’s Cove was issued last night. That means residents of Job’s Cove should be packed and ready to go should an evacuation order be issued.

Premier John Hogan says smoke in the area is extremely thick, and a full assessment of property losses is not yet known.

The province has already indicated that it is working with the federal government on compensation and relief for affected residents.

He offered his condolences to those who have been notified that their homes are gone.

“To those who have received that terrible, unfortunate news, who have lost their homes, our thoughts are with you all. And to those who are awaiting word, we are thinking about you as well at this very difficult time.”

Winds are forecast to turn from the north, pushing the fire southward. Hogan says an Incident Command Centre has moved into Salmon Cove and the plan is to have six waterbombers working on the fire today flying steady missions, however, smoke conditions and a low ceiling may affect those plans.

“As of this moment, the air assets are unable to get to the Kingston fire,” he said during this morning’s briefing, “and they can’t fly, but we will continue to monitor that throughout the day, and hopefully that will lift and air assets can get to that fire.” Ground crews are working on the northern flank, and RCMP and the towns will be conducting assessments on property losses when it is safe to do so.

That said, Hogan did offer some hope, indicating that the fire did approach some communities, yet the community remains. He says numerous structures are safe.