The Latest Information as of 5:30 a.m.
The latest provincial government live public wildfire update is coming this morning.
Premier John Hogan will be joined by Public Safety Minister John Haggie and Minister of Seniors Jamie Korab in this morning’s briefing at 10:15.
VOCM News will be there and will carry the update live.
Kingston Fire
(Eugene Howell/Facebook)
The provincial government says forestry crews are reporting good progress made yesterday on the massive fire burning in Conception Bay North.
No significant growth was reported in the fire as of last night, and crews are feeling positive about the work completed yesterday according to the province.
While light winds resulted in smoky conditions, water bombers were still able to concentrate operations on the western edge of the fire.
Light-capacity helicopters and ground crews from Ontario worked the southern flank of the fire, including a flare up on Pickle Ridge.
(John Hogan/Facebook)
On the northern side of the 9,000-plus hectare fire, four heavy-capacity helicopters including one S61, one Super Puma, and two Black Hawks, worked on the fire’s edge.
Ground crews and local fire departments were also on the ground working in and around homes and other structures.
The Canadian Armed Forces were involved in additional scanning for hot spots.
Paddy’s Pond Fire
A bucketing helicopter near St. John’s International Airport (VOCM News)
Hot spot monitoring is continuing today on the Paddy’s Pond fire.
Ground crews, including the St. John’s Regional Fire Department, the Canadian Armed Forces, and 20 firefighters from British Columbia doused hot spots throughout the day yesterday, and will continue that work today.
All evacuation alerts related to the Paddy’s Pond fire have been lifted, and the fire’s boundaries are continuing to hold.
Martin Lake Fire
(Photo via Google Street View)
The Bay d’Espoir Highway is re-opening to two-lane traffic this morning at 8:00. The highway was closed due to the Martin Lake wildfire.
The highway is the only road access connecting the Connaigre Peninsula on the south coast with the TCH and the rest of the province.
One-way escorted traffic resumed late last week.
Normal traffic flow will resume between the Sunday Pond Resource Road to the Cat Brook turnaround.
Access to cabin areas in Rushy Pond Road, Martin Lake Road, and Miguels Lake Road will remain closed.
While a positive development, officials warn that the Martin Lake wildfire remains an active fire with air and ground crews continuing their firefighting efforts.
Current Evacuation ORDERS
– Town of Small Point–Adam’s Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove
– Town of Salmon Cove
– Western Bay
– Kingston
– Perry’s Cove
– Ochre Pit Cove
– Burnt Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay
Current Evacuation ALERTS
– Local Service District of Freshwater
– Job’s Cove
– Town of Victoria
Revised Evacuation ADVISORY
Access to cabin areas in Rushy Pond Road, Martin Lake Road, and Miguels Lake Road will remain closed and remain under an evacuation advisory. All other cabin access areas off the Bay d’Espoir Highway (Route 360) will be open effective 8:00 a.m, Monday, August 18.
