Latest news with #ConceptionBay
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Wildfires: Penalties for violating fire bans soar up to $150,000 in Newfoundland
ST. JOHN'S — As some of eastern Newfoundland's tinder-dry forests continued to burn out of control on Friday, the provincial government exponentially increased its fines for those caught lighting illegal fires. A visibly angry Premier John Hogan said the fine for a first offence would rise from $75 to $50,000, with potential imprisonment of up to six months for those failing to pay the penalty. "Despite the serious nature of what's happening, we are continuing to see reports of people setting fires and, in some cases, setting fires intentionally," Hogan told a news conference. "It's very clear from the size of the (fine) increase ... that we mean business." The fine for a second offence has jumped from $150 to $75,000. And a third violation will cost offenders a whopping $150,000, with up to one year in jail if not paid. The premier said the province's largest wildfire, which continued to burn out of control on the western shore of Conception Bay, had grown overnight to almost 28 square kilometres, keeping hundreds of people from their homes. The province has ordered evacuations of eight small communities in eastern Newfoundland. Some homes and other structures have been damaged or destroyed, but the province has yet to release any figures. RCMP confirmed Friday they are investigating the cause of the fire that has been burning near the amalgamated town of Small Point-Adam's Cove-Blackhead-Broad Cove. On Friday, they issued a statement seeking surveillance footage from local residents on the west side of Conception Bay. "Residents who have video surveillance at their home or business … are asked to review footage from May to August 2025, and report any suspicious activity,' the RCMP's statement said. Meanwhile, with so many displaced people looking for shelter on the Avalon Peninsula, the region is facing a shortage of accommodations. The province issued a statement late Thursday saying the Canadian Red Cross and Salvation Army were working diligently to help evacuees find a place to stay. But the government said accommodations are now severely limited on the Avalon Peninsula. With no rain in the forecast until next week, Hogan said Quebec's Premier Francois Legault had agreed to send four water bombers and 60 firefighters to help fight the flames. The increased fines in Newfoundland follow similar actions taken in Nova Scotia, where wildfires in 2023 scorched 25,000 hectares of land, destroyed more than 200 homes and forced about 20,000 people from their homes. After the fires, the Nova Scotia government raised fines for burn ban violations to $25,000. As of Aug. 6 of this year, Nova Scotia had already issued 10 tickets. Nova Scotia's fines also apply to a wide range of restrictions announced Tuesday, which include provincewide bans on hiking, camping, fishing and use of vehicles in the woods. The sweeping new rules, which have sparked widespread anger and confusion, will remain in effect until Oct. 15, or until weather conditions reduce the risk of more fires. In New Brunswick, the provincial government has imposed restrictions on some forestry operations over the next four days. Both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island have provincewide burn bans into effect. As of Friday, New Brunswick was dealing with five wildfires, with one small fire in the province's northeast listed as out of control. According to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, the risk of fire remained extreme across Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula and much of mainland Nova Scotia. The risk was also very high across P.E.I. and central Labrador. The rest of the region faces a high risk, except parts of southern and western Newfoundland. As the fires along Newfoundland's Conception Bay grew larger Friday, there was concern about smoke affecting the atheletes taking part in the Canada Games, which start Saturday in St. John's. Environment Canada issued an air quality warning on Friday, saying the northern portion of the Avalon Peninsula was expected to experience "a significant reduction in local air quality because of wildfires." Canada Games CEO Karen Sherriffs said daily consultations are planned with provincial officials about potential relocations, postponements or cancellations if air quality becomes a problem. Venues for sailing and soccer in the community of Conception Bay South are about 30 kilometres north of a fire still burning near Holyrood, N.L. The games are expected to attract about 5,000 athletes during the next two weeks, along with coaches, support staff and spectators. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Aug. 8, 2025. — By Michael Tutton in Halifax The Canadian Press
CBC
16 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
How are animals evacuating N.L. wildfires? These goats caught a ride with the Mounties
People across Conception Bay had to respond quickly to evacuation orders this week due to two raging wildfires. For animal owners, evacuating also meant finding somewhere to put their animals. In Holyrood, one rancher had to figure out how to move 29 horses. Another pet owner had to call emergency services for help evacuating nine animals. In Carbonear, an animal rescue helped all kinds of animals. When the wildfire started in Holyrood, N.L. on Monday, the first thing Sliding K Ranch owner Katrina Butler thought about was her horses. "Honestly, the first thing that came to mind was let's just get them out … then we can worry about where they went," Butler told the St. John's Morning Show on Tuesday. Butler said her own trailer can only hold four horses, so she had to ask for help from others on Facebook. She said people brought eight trailers to help with the effort. The horses are now safe at four different stables in St. John's. Butler said she is grateful to all of the people who offered help. "It was pretty awesome to see everybody show up, and come together and offer everything that they could." Nine animals and no car Evacuating wasn't easy for Holyrood resident Leah Snook, who lives with her mother, cousin, and nine animals. Snook said she only heard about the evacuation through social media. "We were kind of watching all these cars going in and out our road, and we'd walk up to the end of the driveway, and no one would really stop to tell us what was going on." Snook said if they didn't have Facebook, she wouldn't have known what was happening. She also said no authorities went to their door to tell them to evacuate. Once she learned she had to evacuate, Snook said she had to figure out how to get out with two cats, two dogs, five chickens — and no car. She said family members tried to come pick them up, but they were turned around. "We actually had to call 911, and get search and rescue to come up and get us," she said. While Snook waited, she said they harnessed the dogs, put the cats in carriers, and placed the chickens in plastic tubs. Eventually, search and rescue crews brought them to the evacuation centre. Snook said the response could have been better. "We were kind of waiting around for three hours to figure out who was going to come pick us up when we had no transportation." Snook said the animals were held at the evacuation centre for some time, but now they're staying with family. Four goats evacuated by RCMP Meanwhile, a wildfire in Kingston, N.L. also forced many Conception Bay North communities to evacuate this week. A Carbonear-based animal rescue group decided to help by collecting donations for evacuees, and providing a place to put their animals. New Life Rescue volunteer, Shannon Layman, said they collected donations at Re-Tail New Life Rescue Thrift Store in Carbonear. "Anything from toiletries, to food for the animals," said Layman. "And when we get a call from the evacuation centre to send anything down, then [a volunteer] goes with a truckload." Layman said the backyard of one of the volunteers seems to be turning into a small farm. She said the Mounties transported four goats to the backyard — driving them there in the back of their cruisers.
CTV News
a day ago
- Climate
- CTV News
About 900 more people being evacuated due to NL wildfires; Canadian Forces called in
Forest fires have closed roads and caused mandatory evacuations from several Avalon Peninsula communities along Conception Bay North, N.L., Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly ST. JOHN'S — A Newfoundland wildfire is forcing another 900 people to leave their homes as hot temperatures fuel multiple out-of-control blazes in the province. Premier John Hogan said Thursday that the province has ordered the residents of two communities — Ochre Pit Cove and Salmon Cove — to join the hundreds of other evacuees already ordered to leave communities along the western coast of Conception Bay in eastern Newfoundland. The 21-square-kilometre fire in that area is also near Kingston and the amalgamated community of Small Point–Adam's Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove. Meanwhile, Hogan says the federal government has approved support and personnel from the Canadian Forces and the coast guard. He said the government has requested Ottawa's assistance with staff to provide humanitarian aid, Canadian Forces firefighters, use of coast guard helicopters, and the transport of food and medical supplies. The premier confirmed a number of structures have been destroyed but added there are still no details on how many. Meanwhile, the province's fire dashboard indicates that a two-square-kilometre fire burning in the centre of the province near Martin Lake remains out of control, as does a two-square-kilometre fire near the community of Holyrood. The Department of Justice and Public Safety says hot, dry weather is expected in Newfoundland on Thursday, along with 'light winds.' John Haggie, minister of justice and public safety, said about 80 per cent of evacuees find their own accommodations, and the Red Cross helps the remaining people find places to stay. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 7, 2025. Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
C.B.N. residents take stock of the damage, further convinced string of wildfires is suspicious
Scott Chandler moved to rural Newfoundland three years ago with his family. A generally quiet nook overlooking Conception Bay, they settled in Small Point–Adam's Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove. But this summer has been anything but quiet. Wildfires have been plaguing the community since May — forcing multiple evacuations. And while the damage of the most recent fire burning near Kingston has yet to reveal itself as the blaze still burns out of control, Chandler is among the unlucky. "I'm numb. I think when I go and stand in my driveway and see the wreckage, I think I'm probably going to have to call mental health," Chandler told CBC News. "I have an eight-year-old son. He doesn't really understand what's going on." Chandler found out his house was destroyed by the ongoing fire Monday evening. He previously lived in High Level, Alta., and experienced a two-week evacuation due to a wildfire earlier in his life. "This isn't my first rodeo," he said. Today, Chandler is volunteering in his new community to help other evacuees. He said he is used to high-stress situations as a military member, but having to deal with multiple wildfires and evacuations throughout the summer is starting to take its toll on him and his neighbours. "There's a lot of people in this community that are scared. We have a lot of seniors," he said. "Since May 7, we've had 12 fires in this region.… Something's fishy. I don't know what's going on here. We're scared, we're upset." Residents of the community and town officials speculate the recent string of fires haven't been caused by nature. Police are investigating. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey said violating a fire ban can result in a fine of no less than $1,000. 'Blood pressure on bust' Blackhead resident Lawrence Wheeler said an RCMP officer confirmed to him that a historic church in the town is gone. On Tuesday afternoon, Wheeler didn't know if his own property was still standing, but like others, he suspects foul play. "If they soon don't catch him and someone happens to catch him, it's going to be too late. They're going to be the ones that's in trouble," he said. "You coward. Step forward and take what you're doing and take responsibility for it, before someone catches you." Glenn Trickett evacuated to Persalvic Elementary in nearby Victoria. He said there are neighbours from outside of the province who are considering leaving the area for good. "One feller, he told me that his house burned down. He said, 'Glenn, I'm not coming back to Blackhead no more.' He said it's just too much stress down there. We had a nice town. It's hard to believe," Trickett said. If arson is determined to be the cause of the fires, Trickett said the person better not stick around the community. "How are you going to live with yourself? It's impossible to do all this and the stress. I was down to the doctor the other day and my blood pressure was on bust," he said. Watching town burn Mayor Curtis Delaney is also feeling the stress. He isn't sure about the status of his home either. He said everyone in the area has been affected, and he felt helpless as the fire grew on Monday night. "There was nothing that you could do, only sit down and watch your town burn in front of your eyes," he said. Newfoundland and Labrador is availing of fire resources from New Brunswick to help tackle three out-of-control wildfires burning on the island, fire protection supervisor Jeff Motty said Tuesday. Shortly after 5 p.m. NT on Tuesday, Motty told CBC News the largest fire, near Kingston in Conception Bay North, has grown since its initial measurement on Tuesday morning. The fire near Holyrood hadn't grown, and a third fire cropped up near the Bay d'Espoir highway.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Raging wildfires force several Avalon communities to evacuate, others on alert
Wildfires burning out of control on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula have forced hundreds of people from several communities to flee their homes and others to be ready to leave if the call comes. On Monday, residents in the Conception Bay North communities of Small Point–Adam's Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove and Kingston were told to evacuate due to a burning wildfire near Kingston. Then, around 11:30 p.m., the town of Western Bay was told to evacuate, with the people in nearby Ochre Pit Cove being told to get ready to flee if necessary. A new fire near Holyrood prompted partial evacuation of residents, and the Town of Conception Bay South also evacuated the area of the Conception Bay Highway west of Seal Cove Road. "We've had an interesting fire season, to say the least," provincial fire duty officer Jeff Motty told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show on Tuesday. He said the fire burning near Kingston — last reported to be 150 hectares in size — is now 258 hectares and is still out of control. Crews were fighting the fire until late on Monday and he said they had hoped to see a break in fire behaviour in the evening due to increased humidity, but instead there was increased fire behaviour around 7:30. "We've seen drought-like conditions since the start of the season and we started our season early," said Motty, pointing to the fire in May that forced an evacuation of Adam's Cove residents and destroyed 12 homes and 45 other structures. Motty said the plan for Tuesday morning is to assess the fire and determine the best way to fight it, adding they will have crews, water bombers and helicopters on the scene. But he couldn't say if the fire had damaged anything in the communities. Motty also said the fire's cause is currently under investigation, adding there's been lightning in the area but that fire can be human caused — possibly alluding to suspicions CBC News has reported from Conception Bay North residents who believe it could be arson. "I'm not making a judgment call, one way or another," said Motty. Motty said the two fires, one near Kingston and the other near Holyrood, are close enough they can share resources as needed. He said as of Monday the Holyrood fire is 20 hectares in size and it is still burning out of control. "That one there did jump up and it did burn quickly. At the point of mapping it was two kilometres long," he said. Like with the Kingston fire, Motty said crews will be back on site early Tuesday to make a plan of attack. Motty added it's too early to say when the evacuation order could be lifted in either fire area. 'More erratic' The current dry conditions are also making the current fire fighting season challenging, said Motty. "The lack of precipitation is definitely not helping. It's not only making it easier for fires to start, it's making fire behaviour more erratic." Motty said people need to be vigilant and understand their responsibility to prevent wildfires from starting in the first place. The provincial fire hazard map has the Avalon Peninsula between a very high and an extreme risk of fire, which puts a fire ban in effect in those regions. Motty urged people to follow the fire bans, adding responding to "nuisance fires" takes resources away from fighting wildfires. Meteorologist Justin Boudreau said there is some good news coming for firefighting conditions, as Tuesday's temperatures are expected to reach a high of 22 degrees, with a northeast wind shift in the afternoon which he said should bring temperatures down. "Which should push the fire kind of back over itself," said Boudreau. But he said the downside is that it's expected to blow the smoke back toward the land, adding there is an Environment Canada special air quality statement for St. John's and portions of the northern Avalon Peninsula. Boudreau advised people impacted to reduce the time they spend outdoors. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
