Kingston wildfire grows due to 'extremely volatile' weather conditions
The province said Saturday's weather was "extremely volatile with winds gusting to 40 kilometres," which made fire suppression efforts challenging.
After a day of high winds and hot temperatures, the Kingston fire grew to just over 4,000 hectares on Saturday.
Ground crews were removed for safety reasons, and the state of emergency was issued due to the conditions.
"A regional state of emergency allows the province to co-ordinate the activities of all provincial and municipal services in the area and to engage personnel as required," wrote Justice and Public Safety spokesperson Eric Humber in an update.
The province clarifies that the state of emergency does not mean the entire region is under evacuation order, rather that all residents should be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.
N.L. fire duty officer Mark Lawlor is predicting extreme fire conditions again on Sunday.
"That fire will be a difficult one to handle again today," said Lawlor Sunday morning.
He said there would be four water bombers, three helicopters and ground crews working the fire Sunday. As well, crews from Ontario have arrived in the province and will be working on the Kingston fire today.
The province also reported another fire near Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Saturday, which Lawlor says has now been extinguished.
Open fires
Lawlor says there are still reports of people having open fires, despite the province wide fire ban, and the stricter fines.
Fines were increased to $50,000 for a first offence on Friday. Subsequent offences are now $75,000 to $150,000 and defaulting on a payment could see up to a year in jail.
The St. John's Regional Fire Department reported 7 bonfires and 2 brush fires overnight Saturday night. One fire was determined to be illegal and authorities were notified.
Lawlor is asking that people obey the fire bans.
"Our resources are stretched. So if people could obey the ban, it would significantly help us out," he said.
Lawlor also asks that ATV riders keep their machines clean.
"No mud on the mufflers on the engine. We don't want to have another fire started by somebody out outdoors in the woods recreating," he said.
Evacuation orders
The growth of the Kingston fire on Saturday led to more evacuation orders in the area. Now Burnt Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay is under evacuation order.
The following areas are currently under evacuation order in the region:
Town of Small Point–Adam's Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove
Town of Western Bay
Town of Salmon Cove
Kingston
Perry's Cove
Ochre Pit Cove
Burnt Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay
Meanwhile, the Holyrood fire is now being held at approximately 22 hectares. All evacuation orders for Holyrood and Conception Bay South have been lifted.
The Martin Lake fire remains out of control, at 245 hectares. For now cabin owners in Martin Lake, Great Rattling Brook and Rushy Pond areas of the Bay D'Espoir Highway, including all cabins from Rushy Pond to Rifle Lake, remain under an evacuation advisory.
Lawlor says an air tanker and 802 aircraft from New Brunswick managed to keep the Martin Lake fire from growing very much on Saturday.
The Bay D'Espoir highway remains open, but people can expect to see smoke, said Lawlor.
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