Latest news with #JeffMotty
CBC
19-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Wet weather expected to help fight Badger wildfire, says N.L. fire officer
A wildfire is still threatening the community of Badger but wet weather is expected to help crews fight the fire, says Newfoundland and Labrador's fire officer. The forest fire started on Tuesday, ignited by a lightning strike near the community. On Wednesday, the province ordered residents of the town to evacuate and head to the nearby community of Grand Falls-Windsor. The provincial government also brought in a province-wide fire ban. Forestry protection supervisor Jeff Motty anticipates Thursday will be a "bust day" fighting the wildfire that's threatening Badger. "If everything holds through, the [fire weather index] should decrease down to a level of moderate," he told CBC News on Wednesday evening, "which will be good for our crews to be able to get in and just start working that fire and trying to put out any hotspots and anything in between that they can get out." He said the fire was 600 metres from the town, but they have downgraded it from a Rank 5 fire to Rank 3. He expects firefighting efforts to pick up as well — there are 35 personnel on site and Motty said they've asked for more resources. "We'll get waterbombers back out on site to work the northwest flank. A helicopter will be bucketing too," said Motty. As of Thursday morning the provincial fire hazard map lists the central area of Newfoundland as having a very high risk of fire. Wet weather 'will help' Meteorologist Angelie Menard said Badger had 2.5 millimetres of rain overnight and she's forecasting more for the area, which is good news for firefighting. "So that will help, definitely, to lessen the fire. And then really we're looking at some more rain overnight tonight, with some two to four millimetres. It could even go up to five. So that will also help," she told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show. But Menard said winds are expected to increase on Friday afternoon, with gusts of 50 kilometre per hour.
CBC
17-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Having a fire this long weekend? A forest fire officer says campers need to be cautious
Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial forest fire duty officer says it's important to be cautious over the Victoria Day weekend, given the already high number of reported wildfires so far this year. The Newfoundland and Labrador active wildfire dashboard has reported 65 wildfires already this season. Jeff Motty said numbers have skyrocketed because of dry conditions. Just seven wildfires had been reported at the same time last year. A recent large-scale fire in the area of Adam's Cove, which saw homes destroyed, a state of emergency called and residents evacuated for days, points to the importance of keeping fires under control. Fire crews also fought a wildfire in the Whitbourne area earlier on Friday. "Fire chiefs and fire departments, they're all kind of concerned going into this weekend. Because we're going to see some nicer weather going into this weekend. And, you know, with nicer weather comes the opportunity to have campfires," Motty told CBC News on Friday. Motty said before any fire is started, it's important to first check local regulations, weather conditions and the risk of a wildfire in the area. The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture currently lists most of the province as having zero to low risk of a fire, but there are some exceptions. WATCH | Check the weather and your ATV muffler — for fire safety precautions: It's not just a stray spark that can cause a wildfire, warns N.L.'s fire officer ahead of long weekend 5 hours ago Duration 4:49 There have been 65 wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador so far this year, compared to seven within the same time period last year. Jeff Motty, provincial forest fire duty officer, spoke with the CBC's Carolyn Stokes about the lesser-known precautions people need to take. Parts of central and southwestern Newfoundland, south of Flat Bay, are under a moderate risk. Terra Nova National Park was under a high risk on Friday. "You want to have your tools alongside you to be able to extinguish that campfire when you're done with it. So having a campfire, you want to make sure it's on a prepared site, [making sure] it's not too windy," Motty said. "You also want to make sure that you always keep that fire attended. And once you're done for the evening, you want to make sure you thoroughly soak that fire until you know it's out for sure." Motty said it's also important to keep any equipment you might use over the weekend — like an ATV or chainsaw — in clean, working order. He said they can be among the leading causes for human-caused wildfires. "That piece of dirt that gets up on the muffler, that can catch on fire and fall off behind you. You could be driving a long distance and not even know that you've created a wildfire behind you," he said. Motty said a provincial fire ban isn't being considered at the moment, but weather crews across the province are monitoring conditions.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Having a fire this long weekend? A forest fire officer says campers need to be cautious
Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial forest fire duty officer says it's important to be cautious over the Victoria Day weekend, given the already high number of reported wildfires so far this year. The Newfoundland and Labrador active wildfire dashboard has reported 65 wildfires already this season. Jeff Motty said numbers have skyrocketed because of dry conditions. Just seven wildfires had been reported at the same time last year. A recent large-scale fire in the area of Adam's Cove, which saw homes destroyed, a state of emergency called and residents evacuated for days, points to the importance of keeping fires under control. Fire crews also fought a wildfire in the Whitbourne area earlier on Friday. "Fire chiefs and fire departments, they're all kind of concerned going into this weekend. Because we're going to see some nicer weather going into this weekend. And, you know, with nicer weather comes the opportunity to have campfires," Motty told CBC News on Friday. Motty said before any fire is started, it's important to first check local regulations, weather conditions and the risk of a wildfire in the area. The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture currently lists most of the province as having zero to low risk of a fire, but there are some exceptions. WATCH | Check the weather and your ATV muffler — for fire safety precautions: Parts of central and southwestern Newfoundland, south of Flat Bay, are under a moderate risk. Terra Nova National Park was under a high risk on Friday. "You want to have your tools alongside you to be able to extinguish that campfire when you're done with it. So having a campfire, you want to make sure it's on a prepared site, [making sure] it's not too windy," Motty said. "You also want to make sure that you always keep that fire attended. And once you're done for the evening, you want to make sure you thoroughly soak that fire until you know it's out for sure." Motty said it's also important to keep any equipment you might use over the weekend — like an ATV or chainsaw — in clean, working order. He said they can be among the leading causes for human-caused wildfires. "That piece of dirt that gets up on the muffler, that can catch on fire and fall off behind you. You could be driving a long distance and not even know that you've created a wildfire behind you," he said. Motty said a provincial fire ban isn't being considered at the moment, but weather crews across the province are monitoring conditions. Download our to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our . Click .
CBC
16-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
It's not just a stray spark that can cause a wildfire, warns N.L.'s fire officer ahead of long weekend
There have been 65 wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador so far this year, compared to seven within the same time period last year. Jeff Motty, provincial forest fire duty officer, spoke with the CBC's Carolyn Stokes about the lesser-known precautions people need to take.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Fire crews responding to out of control wildfire near Whitbourne
Fire crews are responding to a wildfire considered out of control near Whitbourne on Friday. Provincial forest fire duty officer Jeff Motty told CBC News the fire is burning near Ocean Pond, about 18 kilometres east of Whitbourne. The fire was first reported just after 2 p.m. NT. Motty said the fire is burning adjacent to a Newfoundland Power transmission line, and that the company has been notified. The size of the fire hasn't yet been determined. Fire crews are currently using one pump station to push back the blaze.
