The provincial government providing details into its initial response to the Conception Bay North fire which started in Kingston on August 3rd.

Residents, many of whom who have lost homes occupied for generations, have questions regarding the initial response.

The fire, which has consumed close to 11,000 hectares, has burned through at least nine communities.

An assessment on the full extent of the damage done is still underway, but an estimated 203 structures are gone, including homes and other buildings, like Cabot Academy in Western Bay, community centres and even town council offices.

Deputy Minister of Forestry Jamie Chippett says the amount of time it took to get an aircraft actioning the fire centred around the time it took to prep the waterbomber and start a plan of attack.

“You obviously need to allow for assets to be ready to fly and to get briefed on a fire after the helicopter does its initial flyover and so on,” says Chippett.

“So that fire started late in the day when conditions were very active.”