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

Regional State of Emergency
A regional state of emergency has been declared by the Minister of Justice and Public Safety for:

• A portion of the Bay de Verde Peninsula, from Bristol’s Hope to Whiteway (the communities in the entirety of the Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde electoral district).
• Town of Conception Bay South.
• Town of Paradise.
• The areas known as Southlands and Galway, within the City of St. John’s.

This regional state of emergency is due to out-of-control wildfires.

By declaring a regional state of emergency, the Provincial Government can coordinate the activities of all provincial and municipal services in the area and engage personnel as required.

Current Evacuation Orders

• Town of Small Point–Adam’s Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove
• Town of Salmon Cove
• Unincorporated area of Western Bay
• Unincorporated area of Kingston
• Unincorporated area of Perry’s Cove
• Unincorporated area of Ochre Pit Cove
• Unincorporated area of Burnt Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay
• Paddy’s Pond Industrial Area, including Akita Equipment and surrounding buildings hangers, Cochrane Pond Family Campground, Country Ribbon Chicken Farm, Sod Farm and the Forestry Depot.
• Portion of the Town of Paradise – ALL properties adjacent to Three Island Pond, including Three Island Pond Road to the intersection of Buckingham Drive, Ellington Close, Angels Road, Hansen Place, Vanellen Place, Dawe Road, Balsamwood Road, Stokes Road and Shalloway Place.

Current Evacuation Alerts

• Unincorporated area of Job’s Cove
• Areas known as Southlands and Galway, within the City of St. John’s.
• Town of Paradise: the area on the south side of Topsail Road from the Outer Ring Road exit to CBS boundary, with the exception of ALL properties adjacent to Three Island Pond, including Three Island Pond Road to the intersection of Buckingham Drive, Ellington Close, Angels Road, Hansen Place, Vanellen Place, Dawe Road, Balsamwood Road, Stokes Road and Shalloway Place.
• Town of Conception Bay South: starting at Paradise Outer Ring Road turn-off, on to Route 60 through to Manuels River Bridge, up Peacekeeper’s Way to the cloverleaf on the Trans-Canada Highway and back to the Paradise Trans-Canada Highway turnoff.
• Town of Victoria.

Current Evacuation Advisory

• Cabin owners in the Martin Lake, Great Rattling Brook, Rushy Pond and Paradise Lake areas off Route 360 (Bay d’Espoir Highway), including all cabins from Rushy Pond to Paradise Lake.

Route 360 Closure
Due to increased smoke near Martin Lake, the Bay D’Espoir Highway (Route 360) from the Sunday Pond Resource Road to the Cat Brook turnaround area is CLOSED. The public is asked to stay away from the highway.

Residents unable to return home as a result of the closure of Bay D’Espoir Highway (Route 360), can contact Canadian Red Cross for assistance at 1-800-863-6582.

Wildfire Information

Kingston
Water bombers and a S61 heavy capacity helicopter (lifts 1000 gallons of water) worked the southern edge of the fire today, with low ceilings delaying the start to the day and very heavy smoke impeding work at the northern edge. An evacuation alert has been issued for the unincorporated area of Job’s Cove. Residents are asked to be ready to evacuate on short notice if required.

Water bombers and helicopters will work on the northern edge in the morning if conditions permit. The forecast indicates improving conditions for fire suppression with cooler weather and a chance of showers.

Ground crews will be on site in the morning. Structure loss assessments will continue when safe to do so.

Paddy’s Pond
Water bombers and a bird dog aircraft were focused on the northern edge of the fire. Bucketing will continue tomorrow. Construction on a fire guard is complete and more work will continue in the morning with help from the Canadian Armed Forces.

Martin Lake
Minimal growth was reported on the Martin Lake fire today, and fire did not cross Route 360 (Bay d’Espoir Highway). Aerial suppression continued throughout the day, including structure protection. Route 360 remains closed until further notice.

Restrictions on ALL Off-Road Vehicles on Forested Land
Due to an unprecedented wildfire season in Newfoundland and Labrador, a restriction has been implemented on all off-road vehicles on forested land. This measure is necessary to help protect our communities and maintain public safety.

This restriction applies throughout the entire province in areas where the Fire Weather Index is classified as either high, very high, or extreme.

The temporary restriction on off-road vehicles will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m., Sunday, August 17, 2025, when it will be reviewed based on the forecasted wildfire index and fire behaviours.

Reception Centre information
Two reception centres have been setup to assist impacted residents due an evacuation order, due to wildfires:

• Carbonear Academy, 88 Valley Road in Carbonear.
• Admiral’s Academy, 835 Conception Bay Highway in Kelligrews.

In addition to an overnight shelter, the reception centres provide three meals per day, showers, as well as other support services to all impacted residents. Regardless if you are using the reception centres for overnight shelter, all impacted residents are welcome.

All impacted residents are reminded that they MUST register:

• In person at Carbonear Academy, 88 Valley Road or Admiral’s Academy, 835 Conception Bay Highway
• Or by phone at 1-800-863-6582.

If residents take shelter elsewhere, you are still required to register.

Emergency Financial Assistance
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has announced it will distribute one-time emergency financial assistance of $500 to each household ordered to be evacuated from their primary residence.

Eligible primary households MUST meet criteria found here to receive the one-time emergency financial assistance. Eligible residents can sign up for this one-time emergency financial assistance: 

• By calling, 1-800-863-6582, between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., seven days a week.
• By visiting, www.redcross.ca/2025NewfoundlandWildfires
• In-person, assistance locations: www.gov.nl.ca/alerts

Advice for those evacuating with animals
Proactive measures impacted residents can take before and during an evacuation:

• Have a means to transport your animals safely and have a place lined up to accept your animals. Acclimatize your animals to transport vehicles beforehand, if possible.
• Keep animals hydrated. Always have fresh water available and add salt or electrolytes to water to encourage drinking.
• Keep animals indoors out of smoke if needed. If the barn is hot, use fans or cold water to keep animals cool.
• Stay calm, be careful, and remember your emergency preparedness plans.

Advice for those with mobility issues
People with mobility issues who need help evacuating should call their municipality directly.

Municipalities are collecting information which will be used by first responders (RNC, RCMP and GSAR) to ensure people are safely evacuated.

This direct transfer of information from the municipality to the first responders helps to expedite the evacuation process.

Health Care
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services has opened a temporary primary care pop-up clinic at the Carbonear Community Health Services Building, 15a Industrial Crescent, Carbonear.

This clinic will help provide health care to residents in the area during the ongoing wildfire on the Bay de Verde Peninsula, offering in-person care for:

• Treating a cold, flu, or sore throat.
• Managing minor injuries (e.g., sprains, cuts).
• Addressing a urinary tract infection.
• Evaluating and managing a rash or allergic reaction.
• Providing care for a one-time medication refill or urgent symptom.
• Navigating to resources or areas of support.

Walk-in service is available from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Patients can also book an appointment by calling 709-945-6550.

NL Health Services is postponing all elective and day surgeries and non-urgent outpatient endoscopy procedures this week in St. John’s due to the ongoing wildfires due to staffing concerns as a result of evacuation alerts and orders related to the wildfires at:

• Health Sciences Centre
• Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre
• St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital

Urgent and emergent health-care services are continuing at this time. Emergency departments remain open.

Clinic appointments are proceeding unless patients are contacted by NLHS. Where feasible, some clinic appointments will proceed virtually and patients will be contacted if this applies to their appointment.

People with in-person appointments at James Paton Memorial Hospital and Central Newfoundland Regional Hospital affected by the road closure for Route 360 will be contacted by NL Health Services to make alternate arrangements.

For health-related information during this wildfire emergency, visit NL Health Services.

Mental Health
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, need support, or are looking for health information, call 811. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

Other supports include:

• Doorways walk-in clinics, which are available in-person or virtually.
• The Lifewise Warm Line: A non-emergency, non-crisis telephone support and referral service provided by trained peer support workers, available 10:00 a.m. to midnight daily, by calling 1-855-753-2560.
• First Responder Warm Line: First responders from all disciplines can reach out to the Warm Line, available from 12:00 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week by calling 1-709-237-4180.
• Bridge the gapp which can be accessed by visiting nl.bridgethegapp.ca

Air Quality

Air Quality Warning
Air quality warnings have been issued for St. John’s and vicinity and Avalon Peninsula North.

Special Air Quality Statements

• Grand Falls – Windsor and vicinity
• Bay of Exploits

Air Quality Status
St. John’s and Vicinity/Avalon Peninsula North

• Air Quality Health Index – 2 (Low Risk), predicts maximums of 2 (Low Risk), except 10 (High Risk) in smoke tonight, 3 (Low Risk), except 10 (High Risk) in smoke on Friday, and 3 (Low Risk) on Friday night, and 2 (Low Risk) on Saturday.
• Wind forecast for both areas is southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h, becoming southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.

Grand Falls-Windsor (Martin Lake Area)

• Air Quality Health Index – 2 (Low Risk), predicts maximums of 2 (Low Risk), except 7 (High Risk) in smoke through to Friday, and 1 (Low Risk) through to Saturday.
• Wind forecast is southwest 30 gusting to 50 km/h becoming light overnight.

Water
People CAN consume water in areas under an evacuation alert or state of emergency. Any changes will be communicated to the local municipality or local service district by the Department of Health and Community Services.

For private wells in Holyrood that are located within areas impacted by active fire or suppression measures, there is currently a precautionary non-consumption advisory in place. The advisory will be in place until water testing shows satisfactory results.

Residents in Paradise, Conception Bay South, Southlands, and Galway included in the present evacuation alert are NOT included in the advisory.

Public drinking water systems in the City of St. John’s are NOT impacted.

Residents of the Bay de Verde Peninsula who are currently under a State of Emergency, but are not under an evacuation order, are NOT included in the advisory.

When deemed safe to do so, water sampling of public systems and private wells on a precautionary non-consumption advisory will be completed, free of charge, by the Water Resources Management Division or in conjunction with the impacted community.

Safe alternate sources of water for drinking, cooking and consumption should be used during the advisory. Bottled water or sources known to be safe would be acceptable. Household water can still be used for washing, cleaning, bathing and other household uses.

When residents currently on evacuation orders are permitted to return to their communities, the Department of Health and Community Services will assess if a precautionary non-consumption advisory is needed.

Questions related to water resources can be directed to mailto:water@gov.nl.ca

Be Prepared
Residents need to take steps to ensure their own personal safety. Be prepared for at least 72 hours, with a basic emergency kit, including items such as food, water, batteries, a portable radio, important documents and prescription medications.

Protect your own home, neighborhood, and community from the threat of wildfire. Create a defensible space around your property. To learn more, visit FireSmart Canada.

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