The wildfire burning near Kingston remains very active with all hands on deck working to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
Three water bombers, three helicopters and a bird dog were working on the scene yesterday and are expected to do so again today.
An evacuation alert remains in place for Salmon Cove and Ochre Pit Cove.
It comes as more people are being urged to evacuate in central Newfoundland because of a forest fire off the Bay d’Espoir Highway. Evacuation orders for Martin Lake and Great Rattling Brook have been extended to the Rushy Pond area and the access road, about 30 km from the TCH.
(Photo via GOV NL)
All cabin owners are being asked to leave their cabins immediately.
It comes as the province says people who rely on the Bay d’Espoir Highway should plan ahead, as the road may be closed.
The province says it may have to block access so that crews can continue to fight the wildfire.
Premier John Hogan said yesterday he plans on providing a contingency plan in the event the fire jumps the highway.
Meanwhile, crews made good progress yesterday in suppressing some of the hot spots in the Holyrood fire – however it remains active. Evacuation orders associated with that fire remain in place.
Environment Canada meteorologist Allison Sheppard says winds are on the lighter side, however it’s going to be hot and dry over the next couple of days in eastern and central.
Temperatures will be in the high twenties on the Avalon for the next few days while the mercury will hit 30 in central tomorrow. Sheppard says the heat will carry on into the weekend with no real precipitation in the forecast.
(File photo)
Not everyone is abiding by the province-wide fire ban put in place earlier this week.
St. John’s Regional Fire Department responded to another five bonfires in the metro area yesterday.
Premier John Hogan has made it clear that he has no tolerance for anyone starting fires at this time.
“Minister Haggie said it is nuts, like the province is on fire and we only have so many assets to go around and to have a provincial fire ban in place and the day the ban is in place to have bonfires here in the city, I’m so disappointed and frustrated and angry.”
The ban is in place until September 7.
