Coast guard pilot was fighting N.L. wildfires — and then fled from one himself

CBC

12 hours ago

Chris Rodway was flying over the Kingston wildfire in Conception Bay North last week when he was ordered to evacuate from his Three Island Pond home in Paradise.
"It was a bit of a rush to get out," Rodway told CBC News. "I was on the Kingston fire when they called the evacuation, so I switched out with another pilot."
The evacuation order for the Three Island Pond neighbourhood of Paradise was put in place last week after the Paddy's Pond wildfire threatened the area.
Rodway was in the middle of rescuing ground crews on the Kingston fire's western edge.
It was a challenging day for firefighters due to weather conditions in Conception Bay North.
"They couldn't hold it back," he said.
"You think whichever way the wind blows the fire is going to go, but in this case with that particular fire, it's going up, it's going left, right and east and west. It's crazy, all over the place," Rodway said.
WATCH | He was fighting a wildfire from above — as his community was evacuated below:
He was fighting the wildfire from above — as his community was evacuated below
11 hours ago
Helicopter pilot Chris Rodway was working on the fire in Conception Bay North when he had to make an unscheduled landing — his own community was being evacuated. Rodway raced home to grab valuables, and enough socks and underwear to keep flying.
He said he managed to get to his house with enough time to gather some belongings.
"Enough pairs of underwear and socks to keep me going for a week or so. You don't always get that."
The next day, Rodway was back above the flames — with a new understanding of how the people below were feeling.
Coast Guard work moves inland
Rodway said it's been a different summer at work.
"We're Coast Guard, so we're usually on the coast, and not inland where fires usually are," he said.
The federal agency is working more with the provincial government to aid in wildfire suppression.
"We have been doing mostly crew movements...circling over fires, keeping an eye on their crews on the ground."
With three wildfires continuing to burn out of control on the island, he said everyone is on edge.
"Every little puff of smoke, someone's calling you."
But Rodway said the community support has been incredible.
"It certainly almost puts shivers on your back ... it's really nice to see."