Latest news with #AvalonPeninsula
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Fire ban in place across St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise and Portugal Cove-St. Philip's
A fire ban is in effect for parts of the Avalon Peninsula — and will be in place at least for the next five days. The St. John's Regional Fire Department and the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Volunteer Fire Department both announced separate fire bans on Friday morning, spanning across St. John's, Mount Pearl. Paradise and Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, citing the high fire hazard rating for the area. The bans include outdoor wood-burning appliances, charcoal barbecues and open fires, but excludes propane fire pits and barbecues. Both bans are in place until at least June 3. "In the meantime, SJRFD are asking people to be fire safe when using propane fire pits and barbecues, to keep a hose or fire extinguisher handy and follow manufacturer's requirements regarding clearances from combustible materials," said the statement. It comes as a wildfire threatens Churchill Falls in Labrador. Due to dry conditions, Happy Valley-Goose Bay has already implemented a fire ban.
CBC
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Canada's Got Talent winner Jacob Lewis welcomed home as local celebrity
From the big stage back to Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, Canada's Got Talent winner Jacob Lewis was welcomed home on the long weekend to celebrate his newfound fame and fortune. Lewis, an offshore oil and gas worker from Butlerville, a neighbourhood within Bay Roberts, took home a million dollars after singing his way to the top of a nationally televised talent show. Lewis was emotional as he thanked everyone in his hometown for their support. "When I auditioned for Canada's Got Talent, I was dreaming big," he told the crowd. "You guys have helped make this a reality." "If you're a kid, if you're an adult, if you're anyone and you have a dream or something, I'm living proof that just a regular Joe and this can become possible for you guys," he said. Balloons and billboard-like signs hung on many homes, as a long motorcade led by the Bay Roberts fire department, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and its search and rescue unit, escorted Lewis into the town with sirens blaring. People and cars lined the one-way road going through Butlerville. The owner of the community's only take-out restaurant, Mountain View Grocery, shut off the deep fryers to watch Lewis drive by. As residents waved, they talked among themselves about how Lewis must feel tired despite the excitement. His entrance to the town's field was met with cheering, and people saying "God love him." In a field where the celebrations continued, dozens of people lined up to get autographs and pictures with Lewis. Hannah Stone, who met Lewis before he won the show and took a photo with him, brought the picture for him to autograph. "I've already met him at McHappy Day, and he's a really nice person," Stone said. Paige Peddle knows Lewis' sons and spoke highly of the family. "I think it's really great that he won, his kids are so nice, and he's just a really good person," Peddle said. Lewis' cousin, Ella Franie, watched the Canada's Got Talent finale live in Niagara Falls and recalls the moment she saw his win. "I got so excited I started screaming," Franie said. Lewis says he will have more to share on his next steps soon.
CBC
08-05-2025
- General
- CBC
C.B.N. wildfire destroys buildings and homes, residents say
A wildfire has caused damage in two small rural communities on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, and some residents have serious questions about what caused the fire. The CBC's Terry Roberts reports.
CBC
08-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
'As bad as it gets': C.B.N. fire destroyed buildings and homes, residents say
Multiple fires still burn across the Avalon Peninsula, residents evacuated from several communities Residents in the community of Small Point-Adam's Cove-Blackhead-Broad Cove have been forced to flee from a raging wildfire that has destroyed buildings and homes. "This is about as bad as it gets … in a beautiful little place like this," Bernie Judge, a resident of Adam's Cove, told CBC News Wednesday night. Wildfires cropped up across the Avalon Peninsula throughout Wednesday, the most dangerous of which is in Small Point-Adam's Cove-Blackhead-Broad Cove in Conception Bay North. Residents of the area who spoke with CBC News described large flames and black smoke that crossed roads. Judge said there was a fire in the same area on Tuesday, but fire crews were able to handle it. On Wednesday, things were different. "This one got out of control, and it's after jumping the road. We're pretty sure there's some buildings, homes, lost. And we're just hoping that ours is still in place," he said. "It just feels really surreal," Ruth Riome, Judge's wife, added. Earlier in the day, provincial forest fire duty officer Jeff Motty told CBC News the fire is big, very active and out of control — and that homes had been "ignited." Fire crews remain on scene, he said in an update at around 8:30 p.m. NT Wednesday, and that multiple water bombers had been deployed. Judge and Riome said people had to act fast once the decision to evacuate had been made. Riome said she scrambled to help her neighbour collect her valuables. "I went over with her and collected the pictures off the walls of her house," Riome said. "Then I went to get Bernie, and they wouldn't let us back in again." The RCMP had closed the road between Adam's Cove and Western Bay, telling residents to travel south toward Victoria or north toward Lower Island Cove. Newfoundland Power also cut electricity in nearby Ochre Pit Cove, Burnt Point and Kingston. Judge was out of Adam's Cove at the time, but hurried back to save his dogs and cat. He said he convinced a police officer to take him back to his home so his pets could be saved. Image | Bernie Judge and Ruth Riome Caption: Bernie Judge and Ruth Riome were forced to flee their home in Adam's Cove. They're playing the waiting game to see if their house will still be standing when they're allowed to return. (Katie Breen/CBC) Open Image in New Tab "I've always been really concerned that if there was a fire, there could be some imminent danger to us. But you just never think that would happen," he said. "This is everything. This is our retirement.… We love this place." Rest stops have since been set up at Persalvic Elementary School in Victoria and the AYLA building in Lower Island Cove for those who are unable to return to their homes. Fires still burn in Fermuse and Holyrood There are also two active fires burning in Fermuse and Holyrood. Motty said a helicopter and ground crews were on the scene in Fermuse. A cabin was impacted by the fire, but he had no further information as to whether it was occupied. The fire was burning out of control as of Wednesday afternoon. The fire near Holyrood is in the Hardings Pond area. The province's wildfire dashboard says it's one hectare in size as of 9 p.m. Crews also responded earlier on Wednesday to a fire at Joes Lake, northwest of Badger. It was 25 per cent contained as of Wednesday afternoon, Motty said, but hotspots still remained following the use of a water bomber. At 9 p.m. Wednesday, the dashboard reported the fire was zero hectares in size. In total, five fires were reported on Wednesday afternoon on the Avalon Peninsula alone. One in St. John's behind the Johnson Geo Centre and another in the Paradise area. Motty says they have been designated as out. "We're getting some warm temperatures right now and it's nice that we're coming out of winter. But, you know, the vegetation on the ground is very dry," he said. "It, like, only takes an hour or an hour-and-a-half of those grasses ... to become very ignitable." Smoke from the fires led Environment Canada to issue a special air quality statement. The statement covers St. John's and the surrounding area and the northern Avalon Peninsula. Those who are more susceptible to outdoor air pollution, like those over 65, pregnant or with existing illness, should reduce outdoor time and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms, the statement said.
