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.
New Evacuation Orders
An immediate evacuation order has been issued for the Town of Salmon Cove and the unincorporated area of Ochre Pit Cove. Residents and cabin owners must leave immediately.
Residents from Ochre Pit Cove are advised to head NORTH on Route 70.
Residents from Salmon Cove are advised to head SOUTH on Route 70.
Evacuees MUST register at Carbonear Academy, 88 Valley Road, Carbonear, or by calling 709-729-0921.
New Evacuation Advisory
An evacuation advisory issued for cabin owners in the Martin Lake, Great Rattling Brook and Rushy Pond areas off Route 360 (Bay d’Espoir Highway) has been extended to include all cabins from Rushy Pond to Rifle Lake (approximately 45 kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway).
New Evacuation Alert
An evacuation alert is now in effect for the Town of Victoria.
Request for Federal Assistance
A request for federal assistance has been granted, and the Canadian Armed Forces will provide immediate assistance to the province. In the coming hours, the Canadian Armed Forces will provide fire reconnaissance to help assess the wildfire situation, as well as on the ground personnel to assist with planning and coordination efforts, including firefighters to assist with ongoing wildfire efforts.
In addition, the Canadian Coast Guard will provide up to three helicopters and two comfort trailers, as well as a personnel officer to augment the efforts of the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre.
Accommodations
While emergency officials, Canadian Red Cross and Salvation Army are working diligently to assist evacuees, accommodations are severely diminished on the Avalon Peninsula. As a result, some accommodations facilitated by the Canadian Red Cross will be modified. Priority will be given to seniors and persons with disabilities.
If your accommodation is impacted, Canadian Red Cross will contact evacuees directly. For more information, call 709-729-0921.
Shared accommodation service Airbnb will be offering vouchers for free accommodations to assist evacuees. Details on this initiative will be provided when available.
The Provincial Government would like to thank organizations and community partners assisting residents who are displaced as a result of the wildfire.
Existing Evacuation Orders
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 Carbonear Academy, 88 Valley Rd, Carbonear, or,
- by calling 709-729-0921.
- Of note, the reception centre at Persalvic in Victoria has relocated to Carbonear Academy, 88 Valley Road, Carbonear. This transition will allow officials to accommodate a larger number of evacuees.
The new reception centre will accommodate for all evacuees from:
- Town of Small Point-Adam’s Cove-Blackhead-Broad Cove
- Town of Western Bay
- Town of Salmon Cove
- Unincorporated area of Kingston
- Unincorporated area of Perry’s Cove
- Unincorporated area of Ochre Pit Cove
- 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 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 wildfire in Kingston is still very active and has grown to approximately 2,175 hectares. Fire mapping shows growth to the west, northwest and southwest corners. Today, ground crews are actioning the fire on the southern edge, near Perry’s Cove and Salmon Cove. Continued aerial support will be provided by four water bombers, three helicopters, and a bird dog aircraft.
- Route 70 is closed from Persalvic School Complex in Victoria to the entrance to Northern Bay. A checkpoint is set up at Ridge Road to prevent access to Salmon Cove.
For evacuees from sections of Holyrood and sections of Conception Bay South
Information for evacuees:
- 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 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:
- In Holyrood, a small spot fire has been contained. The main wildfire is still very hot but experienced no growth overnight. A helicopter will support ground crews today, with further ariel support available if required. The size remains approximately 22 hectares.
- 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 areas off Route 360 (Bay d’Espoir Highway) has been extended to include all cabins from Rushy Pond to Rifle Lake
Information for cabin owners:
- Leave the area immediately.
Information on wildfire:
- The southern edge of the Martin Lake wildfire is still active with marginal overnight growth. Today ground crews will be working on structure protection. Three helicopters and three 802s aircraft will be focusing on suppression of the eastern and southern edges. The size remains approximately 220 hectares.
Air Quality
An air quality warning has been issued for Avalon Peninsula North.
Special air quality statements have been issued for multiple regions due to smoke-related air quality concerns:
- St. John’s and vicinity
- Bonavista North and Peninsula
- Clarenville and vicinity
- Gander and vicinity
- Terra Nova
- Grand Falls-Windsor and vicinity
- Bay of Exploits
Holyrood and Kingston/Adam’s Cove Areas
Air Quality Health Index – 2 (Low Risk)
- Forecast: Low Risk (2–3), but may reach High Risk (7) in smoke through Thursday and Friday nights
- Wind: Southwest 20 km/h, becoming light southwesterly
Grand Falls-Windsor (Martin Lake Area)
Air Quality Health Index – 1 (Low Risk)
- Forecast: Low Risk (2–4), but may reach High Risk (7) in smoke through Thursday and Friday nights
- Wind: Light west to southwesterly
Special Air Quality Statement vs. Air Quality Advisory
- Special Air Quality Statement is issued when the Air Quality Health Index is 7–10, indicating high health risk.
- Air Quality Advisory is issued when the Air Quality Health Index exceeds 10 for three or more hours, typically during wildfire smoke events.
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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