Public Advisory: Update on Wildfires

  • Justice and Public Safety

August 6, 2025

The Provincial Government is working closely with federal, municipal and community partners during this unprecedented wildfire situation to ensure the health and safety of residents.

The evacuation advisory issued in Central Newfoundland has been extended to include the Rushy Pond area and access road, located 30 kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway.

An evacuation alert is still in effect for the Town of Salmon Cove and the unincorporated area of Ochre Pit Cove.

For evacuees from Small Point–Adam’s Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove, Kingston, Western Bay and Perry’s Cove

Information for evacuees:

  • ALL evacuees MUST register with Canadian Red Cross, either:
    • in person at the Persalvic School Complex in Victoria, or,
    • by calling 709-729-0921.
  • If residents take shelter elsewhere, you are still required to register.
  • Emergency partners with the Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army and Ground Search and Rescue are on-site, and are available to assist with food and emergency accommodations for those that require assistance.
  • While Salvation Army appreciates the outpouring of support from local residents, it advises that prepared food from personal homes cannot be accepted. Salvation Army needs to ensure appropriate food health and safety standards, and can only accept un-opened, pre-packaged food or items from commercial kitchens and/or restaurants.

Information on wildfire:

  • The Kingston wildfire remains very active with ground crews today concentrating on the southern edge.
  • Today, three water bombers, three helicopters, and a bird dog actioned the area.
  • Monitoring will continue overnight and the Incident Management Team anticipates taking a similar approach to attack the fire tomorrow.
  • Roads are closed at the following places:
    • Ochre Pit Cove entrance from Western Bay
    • Route 70 near Dry Hill Road/Old Main Road
    • Salmon Cove Road just north of Governors Pond Road

For evacuees from sections of Holyrood and sections of Conception Bay South

Information for evacuees:

  • As of 4:00 p.m. today, and going forward, the reception centre has moved from Robert French Memorial Stadium to a bigger space at Villanova Junior High, 2697 Topsail Rd, Conception Bay South.
  • ALL evacuees MUST register with Canadian Red Cross, either:
    • in person at Villanova Junior High, 2697 Topsail Rd, Conception Bay South or,
    • by calling 709-729-0921.
  • If residents take shelter elsewhere, you are still required to register.
  • Emergency partners with the Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army and Ground Search and Rescue are on-site, and are available to assist with food and emergency accommodations for those that require assistance.
  • While Salvation Army appreciates the outpouring of support from local residents, it advises that prepared food from personal homes cannot be accepted. Salvation Army needs to ensure appropriate food health and safety standards and can only accept un-opened pre-packaged food or items from commercial kitchens and/or restaurants.

Information on wildfire:

  • Crews are reporting a good day on the wildfire in Holyrood.
  • Air and ground crews have made progress suppressing hot spots within the area, however, there is still fire activity on the western edge.
  • Tomorrow will see a continuation of this approach, with one helicopter and ground crews continuing to work hot spots.
  • Roads are closed at the following places:
    • Seal Cove Road
    • 377 Conception Bay Highway

Cabin owners in Martin Lake, Great Rattling Brook and Rushy Pond Area

Information for cabin owners:

  • Leave the area immediately.

Information on wildfire:

  • The Martin Lake wildfire has expanded along the southern edge but remains contained along the northeast edge.
  • The approximate size of the fire is 220 hectares.
  • Three 802 aircrafts provided by New Brunswick worked the southwest edge and sprinklers have been installed on the cabins closest to the fire along Martin Lake for added structure protection.
  • The Incident Management Team plans to implement a similar strategy tomorrow.
  • Route 360 still remains open at this time, however, anyone planning to travel the highway in the coming days should consider doing so tomorrow.

The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is at Level 2 and is actively coordinating emergency response. Emergency management partners have been engaged to respond, where necessary. Updates on conditions, resources and assistance will be made available continuously throughout this evolving situation.

For the most up to date information, visit www.gov.nl.ca/alerts and follow the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on Facebook and on X.

The latest information on the location, status, and size of active wildfires can be viewed online at the NL Active Wildfire Dashboard.

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2025 08 06 10:00 pm