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 States of Emergency
Regional states of emergency remain in place 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.

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

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.
• 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.

Bay d’Espoir Highway (Route 360)
Effective tomorrow (Saturday, August 16), Bay d’Espoir Highway (Route 360) will open with limited access from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.

Traffic will be permitted to move in one direction at a time, escorted by Department of Transportation and Infrastructure staff in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture and the RCMP. Checkpoints are located at Sunday Pond and Cat Brook.

Residents are strongly advised to limit travel to essential purposes only. Ensure of sufficient fuel and snacks on hand, as changing conditions may require the highway to close early.

Information on ferry services and the delivery of essential goods can be found here.

Wildfire Information

Kingston
The Kingston wildfire saw almost no growth today and is currently estimated at 9,519 ha. There was not much shower activity in the area, with low cloud ceiling and thunder cells limiting air suppression efforts. Aerial suppression had a delayed start on the northern boundary of the fire this morning due to heavy fog and smoke throughout the area.

Ground crews, and a S-61 heavy-capacity helicopter (lifts 1000 gallons of water) continued making progress on the southern edge of the fire throughout the day.  Local fire departments and Canadian Armed Forces personnel were working in the Kingston-Adams Cove communities to put out hot spots near homes.  Construction of an extension to fire guards began along the southern boundary to complement existing ground breaks.

Structure protection in and around the Perry’s Cove area continued with the support of local fire departments. Ground crew numbers are expected to double tomorrow, with increased aerial suppression activity if conditions permit.

Paddy’s Pond
There was no growth reported on the Paddy’s Pond fire today. The current size is estimated at 318 ha. Approximately four mm of rain assisted with suppression efforts today.

Ground crews continued to work with the Canadian Armed Forces and completed construction of a fire guard in the area of Northern Pond, Fowler’s Road, and the Agriculture Development Area towards Conception Bay South. Crews also worked on hot spots and flare ups on the northern and southern flanks.

The Canadian Coast Guard continued to provide aerial support with local fire departments providing structural protection and resources as required.

Thermal scans are planned overnight to identify any hot spots that may exist throughout the area.

Martin Lake
There was no growth reported on the Martin Lake fire today, with a current estimate of 2,160 ha. The fire boundary remains approximately 0.2 km from the Bay d’Espoir Highway and 16 km south of Grand Falls-Windsor.

While low cloud ceilings limited opportunities for aerial support today, overcast conditions, higher relative humidity, lower temperatures and light south-southwest winds, along with seven mm of rain, helped lower fire activity.

Ground crews continued to work on structure protection in Martin Lake and Rushy Pond areas throughout the day. Cool temperatures forecasted overnight are expected to help with fire suppression in the Martin Lake area.

Restrictions on ALL Off-Road Vehicles on Forested Land
A restriction has been implemented on all off-road vehicles on forested land. This 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 all 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.

Education
As reported today, Cabot Academy in Western Bay has been unfortunately lost due to the Kingston wildfire. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will work with Cabot Academy school community members to ensure all students and staff are welcomed in schools for the upcoming year.

If your family is impacted, call 709-729-2489 or email: 2025fires@nlschools.ca.
If you are an impacted teacher or staff, call 709-729-2547 or email: hravalon@nlschools.ca

Reception Centre information
A reception centre has been setup to assist residents who have been evacuated from their homes due to an evacuation order:

• Carbonear Academy, 88 Valley Road in Carbonear.

Visit here for more information on the reception centre, as well as additional supports and services available at these sites. All impacted residents are reminded that they MUST register with the Canadian Red Cross.

Emergency Financial Assistance
Information regarding the one-time emergency financial assistance of $500 is available here.

Eligible residents can sign up: 

• 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/

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.

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.

Emergency departments remain open. Clinic appointments are proceeding unless patients are contacted by NL Health Services. 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.

Air Quality
Air quality warnings have been issued for St. John’s and vicinity and Avalon Peninsula North. Air quality status can be found here.

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.

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