Latest news with #CurtisDelaney
CBC
09-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Adam's Cove fire under control, damage assessment still to come, says mayor
State of emergency is still in effect with no timeline for residents to return home A wildfire that forced residents of a rural Newfoundland community to flee their homes was pushed back on Thursday, and is now under control — but the mayor warns rebuilding will take some time as a damage assessment gets underway. The town of Small Point-Broad Cove-Blackhead-Adam's Cove has been under a state of emergency since Wednesday night. More than 20 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, the provincial government said on Thursday, including at least 12 homes. "There's going to be a lot of cleanup. There's a lot of assessment that needs to be done in the area and that'll be the priority now in the upcoming days," Mayor Curtis Delaney told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show. The mayor said he's not positive when residents will be able to return to the community, and hot spots are being monitored over the next few days. "Before anyone goes back into that area, it has to be a safe situation," said Delaney. Newfoundland Power, which had shut off power to the area on Wednesday, was on the scene on Thursday for an assessment. "You can imagine there's a bit of infrastructure damage on their end," Delaney said. The cause of the fire isn't yet known and the investigation will likely start soon, the mayor said. "We can't do anything to bring back some of the structures that have been lost," he said. "But you know, we'll work with them and with different levels of government and see what assistance and what resources that we can provide as a town and as a province." Resources for people evacuated There are still resources in place to help those who have been affected by the fire, says Delaney, including the Small Point Community Centre. The Red Cross and Salvation Army have been offering help since Thursday. The school in Western Bay is also acting as a reception area. "We've actually had an outpouring of support, you know, not only just from the local area, but from outside," Delaney said. "It's just amazing how the area has come together." Delaney says he's thankful to the emergency responders and the work of the countless volunteers who stepped up to help with food and shelter. "Everyone that has come together, and as bad a situation is, things could have been a lot worse. We're just focusing on safety right now." he said. "We'll get people back in as quickly as we can."
CBC
08-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
At least 12 homes destroyed as wildfire state of emergency continues in C.B.N.
A wildfire that forced residents of Small Point-Adam's Cove-Blackhead-Broad Cove in Conception Bay North to flee their community continues to burn out of control Thursday. The town's mayor estimates the fire has destroyed 12 homes already, but says they don't know the full extent of the damage yet. "As far as we know there's been no injuries. There's been property damage. Homes lost. But everyone is currently safe," Mayor Curtis Delaney told Radio-Canada on Thursday morning. The town declared a state of emergency Wednesday night, and residents of Adam's Cove north of Cave Lane were told to evacuate. Delaney said everyone's focus right now is getting the fires under control, and he hopes water bombers will be back on the scene. He's also hoping the fog will lift so crews can get a better understanding of the scope of the damage. "As things get cleaned up and hotspots within the community itself are put out, you know, we'll have a better idea of exactly the damage that's done," he said. He says some evacuees have gone to stay with family and friends, but the town is also using the local community centre and a school as evacuation centres. "I've had a number of people even this morning now, wondering now, 'Do I have a house? Is my house still standing,'" he said. The community has a population of around 400 but he says there are also seasonal residents. "It's heartbreaking to see the damage that a fire can do in such a short period of time." He says it's not safe for residents to return and told people to get information from the town's Facebook page. According to the province's active wildfire dashboard, the fire at Adam's Cove along with another fire burning at Harding's Pond in Holyrood are out of control. There are also fires in Fermeuse and Joe's Lake, northwest of Badger, that are under control. Volunteers rally There are evacuation centres at Persalvic Elementary School in Victoria, the AYLA building on Crutches Road in Lower Island Cove and the Salem Community Centre in Small Point. Janessa Wheeler, a volunteer at the AYLA building, says last night around 10 people came to the centre, as well as pets like budgie birds, cats and dogs. She says the residents are in shock and don't know if they have homes to go back to. "It's devastating and it's sad," said Wheeler. There were many people dropping by to help with food and other donations like toiletries, she says, and local restaurants donated food for breakfast. "It warms my heart to know that there's people out there willing to do this. You don't know what to expect. You don't know when to expect anything coming."
