Latest news with #LisaDempster
CBC
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
St. John's firefighters respond to 8 bonfires in 2 days, despite provincewide fire ban
Despite a provincewide fire ban in effect across Newfoundland and Labrador — and three raging wildfires — the St. John's Regional Fire Department is still responding to bonfires. On Tuesday, Forestry Minister Lisa Dempster announced a provincewide fire ban, which will be in place for at least the next month. Premier John Hogan expressed frustration that the day the ban was implemented, firefighters had to respond to three bonfires. Then on Wednesday, firefighters were called to another five bonfires. Platoon Chief Ed Sears said it's extremely frustrating and "mind-boggling." "We are out doing everything we can, and there's still people [who] choose to go have their backyard fires, and not take this seriously at all," Sears told CBC News. He said people need to be penalized for it. "These conditions are not normal, and you have to heed the warnings that are being put out, and they have to be taken seriously." Sears said firefighting resources are taxed because they are already focused on the current fires. He said it seems like people are aware of the provincewide fire ban, yet they are deliberately choosing to have bonfires. "It appears that unless it affects them directly, they don't seem to care enough. They don't worry about their neighbours, their adjacent properties." Meanwhile, with dry conditions and no precipitation expected in the near future, Sears said the number of fires could get worse. He added St. John's is surrounded by trees and vegetation, and given the dry conditions, a fire would quickly spread. "We all like our backyard fires, but this is a time that you need to listen to the people that are giving the directions, and absolutely have no fires whatsoever," he said. In July, a fire started in the Quidi Vidi neighbourhood, destroying several stages and wharves, but because there was no road access, firefighters could not reach it. Sears said terrain and other factors can make their work challenging, so they may face a similar problem in the future. Increased fines on table On Tuesday, Hogan said the current fines for violating the fire ban "are way too low," and he's looking at increasing them. It's a move Sears supports. "The government is looking at changing the amounts of fines there now, but right now, we will be taking personal information, and fines will be given out," he said. Sears said he doesn't understand how people think they can get away with having fires, given the current circumstances. He said people are on alert for fires. "They're not going to get away with it."
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
'A fire season like no other': N.L. issues month-long fire ban for entire province
New Ban will be revisited Sept. 7 Newfoundland and Labrador has issued a provincewide fire ban as two out-of-control wildfires on the island's Avalon Peninsula continue to burn on Tuesday and threaten more evacuations. Forestry Minister Lisa Dempster calls this summer "a fire season like no other," and the number of wildfires so far this year — 192 according to government data — is putting a lot of stress on communities, provincial services and the environment. "A provincewide fire ban helps reduce the risk of wildfires and supports our efforts of suppression," Dempster told reporters during a media availability Tuesday afternoon. Dempster, who attended the meeting virtually, said the ban is in place until Sept. 7, and will be revisited at that time. Violating the fire ban, she said, can result in a fine of no less than $1,000. 'Historic numbers' Speaking on the two wildfires — one near Kingston and the other near Holyrood, which have prompted hundreds of people to evacuate this week — Premier John Hogan said he understands it's a difficult time for impacted residents. "No doubt it is a very serious situation," he said. Hogan asked residents across the province to be diligent about accidentally starting fires while in wooded areas, including when driving ATVs and using chainsaws. "It's no secret this has been an unbelievable, historic, dry season on the island, which is one of the major reasons we're seeing the abundance of forest fires," Hogan said. "We can't control mother nature of course but we can control what we're doing." The nearly 200 wildfires this summer have burned roughly 8,400 hectares of land across Newfoundland and Labrador. Hogan called it "historic numbers." As of Tuesday morning, Hogan said he could confirm the Kingston fire destroyed structures overnight, which he said wasn't surprising seeing as it had grown to 735 hectares. He said forestry crews are holding the line, but the fire burned aggressively through the night. He said it burned along Adam's Cove and Small Point. That fire remains very active, and two water bombers, a helicopter and bird dog are on the scene on Tuesday, plus ground crews. Hogan said the focus is on protecting structures in the communities and suppression efforts on the south edge — along the highway — to prevent the fire from growing in that direction. He said there was no overnight growth on the fire near Holyrood, which is 22 hectares in size, and ground crews will work on hot spots throughout Tuesday by dropping buckets from helicopters. "We continue to make good progress on this fire," Hogan said, adding there's no report of structures having been destroyed. RCMP Chief Supt. Pamela Robinson said residents feel anxious, but investigations are ongoing. "I need to stress that we cannot investigate what is not reported," she said. Even if people are able to put out a small brush fire, she urged them to report it. Robinson said fire investigations are very complex and take time, and can be complicated further by evacuations. She asked people with information, including about suspicious activity, to contact the local police department. "Our communities are close-knit and information and rumours can spread very quickly, which then in turn, turn into fear and frustration," she said.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
N.L. government partners for high-flying medical transportation pilot program
A new partnership between Newfoundland and Labrador and a national charity will send some Labrador medical patients flying high for treatment, at no upfront cost. Hope Air signed on to the pilot project with the province's Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP) on Tuesday. Labrador Affairs Minster Lisa Dempster said it's a "beautiful" thing. Patients who have a gross family income of $70,000 or less can apply to Hope Air directly and, if approved, the organization will arrange and pay for their flights, accommodations, meals and taxis. "It's like the full meal deal," Dempster said in an interview on CBC Radio's On The Go. She said it won't replace the existing provincial program, which reimburses those who require air travel to get to their appointments for specialized treatments. A document highlighting the Hope Air partnership says people should consider both options and choose the one that is "most economical and suitable" for their needs. Once Hope Air arranges travel and accommodation, the charity then submits an application to the province for reimbursement. WATCH | Lisa Dempster signs on to a new medical transportation partnership: The province has committed almost $700,000 to the project, according to Dempster. The minister said it's great news for those in northern Labrador who typically have to avail of medical transportation. "We know that on a per-capita basis, the medical transportation assistance program is used eight times more often by Labradorians than folks who call the island portion of the province home," said Dempster. According to a news release from the Department of Labrador Affairs, Hope Air provided 2,137 medical travel arrangements for Newfoundland and Labrador residents last year. PC MHA Lela Evans, who represents Torngat Mountains, says it's a good initiative on the surface, but she's concerned about the implications it may have. "I fear that access to health care now has become politicised," Evans told CBC News. Evans said the project won't solve any of the major barriers to health-care services Labradorians face, but will create a two-tier system in which the province is acting as a gatekeeper. Hope Air's application form asks several questions about sources of household income and additional financial support, but the government says those with a household income over $70,000 can still apply for assistance through MTAP. That doesn't ease Evans's worries. "That adds more questions than it provides solutions.… We're supposed to have universal health care," Evans said. "But when we look at Labrador, not so much." Patients are eligible to apply for assistance through the Hope Air pilot program until March 31, 2026. Download our to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our . Click .
CBC
21-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
N.L. lifts evacuation order for Badger, while wildfire still burns nearby
, Alex Kennedy Wildfire is still active, out of control, but residents can return home The Newfoundland and Labrador government lifted the evacuation order for Badger on Friday afternoon, allowing residents to return home for the first time since fleeing a wildfire on Wednesday. Premier John Hogan made the announcement while talking to reporters Wednesday afternoon. The decision was made in consultation fire behaviour specialists in the province. "We're in a position where we're comfortable with the fire, if you're familiar with the area, it won't jump the river toward Badger," Hogan said. "We're very fortunate that the houses and the structures weren't damaged in this fire. So it's a good day." The fire near the town is still burning out of control, but Forestry Minister Lisa Dempster said crews are confident they can keep it at bay. One water bomber and three helicopters will remain on scene to fight hot spots. "When we look back to where we were a couple days ago, this could have been a very different outcome. And we really do need to toss a great bouquet to the folks that we have in Forestry, that are fighting the fires, that are on the ground," she said. The fire started Tuesday and prompted an evacuation order by the province, forcing hundreds of people to flee the area to nearby Grand Falls-Windsor. Hogan also took time to thank crews for their work in fighting the fire, and the people of Grand Falls-Windsor and the surrounding area for their hospitality. WATCH | There's no place like home for Badger residents who get the OK to return: Media Video | Badger residents get the green light to go home, despite fire still burning Caption: The town of Badger has been all but empty, except for a few residents who didn't leave, police and fire crews. But residents can return home after firefighting efforts were successful. The CBC's Peter Cowan has the latest update. Open Full Embed in New Tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. Craig Coady, director of the province's wildfire response program, said crews will continue working as residents return. High winds in the forecast this weekend could also move smoke through the community, he said. "They'll see continued wildfire suppression efforts in terms of aircraft, you know, helicopters and water bombers. They'll see our ground crews around," Coady said. "We had enough [precipitation] that helped us be able to get in there and get some ground crews into some … of the key areas." Coady said the areas of fire that were threatening the community have been assessed and have received the majority of the suppression effort" Badger mayor Dennis Butt said he is optimistic that efforts to battle the blaze are having a positive impact. "[We're] feeling a lot better today than yesterday, and yesterday was a lot better than the day before. Fire crews have done an amazing job," Mayor Dennis Butt told CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning on Friday morning. As of Friday morning, the provincial fire hazard maps lists the area as low risk of fire — a downgrade over the course of the week where the area had been ranked as extreme risk of fire. In a statement to CBC News, government spokesperson Janice Goudie said the fire is approximately 300 to 400 metres from the community and had burned 1,119 hectares. It also has not jumped the Exploit's River. She said the plan on Friday is to asses the conditions, deploy ground crews to key areas and utilize aerial assets as required. While an evacuation order was issued on Wednesday, some people decided to stay in the community. "There's still a very low number of residents who chose to stay. The RCMP went door to door again late yesterday and just emphasized the fact that, you know, there is a state of emergency in effect," he said. Residents who did evacuate say they are feeling the stress, but they feel supported by neighbouring communities and organizations. Provincial fire ban remains in effect Dempster told reporters Friday a provincial fire ban, which has been in place since Wednesday, will remain in effect. The ban includes open fires of any kind, along with the use outdoor wood-burning appliances and charcoal barbecues. "We've had 124 forest fires so far this season.… We're only in June this year," Dempster said. "So the provincewide fire ban remains in effect." Coady advised people to take extreme caution heading into the weekend, as much of the province's firefighting resources are tied up in Badger.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
‘Do not come here' warns N.L. official as crews battle wildfire
A Newfoundland flag flies in the wind in Rocky Harbour, N.L., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Houses in the central Newfoundland and Labrador town of Badger are safe Thursday morning, even as a wildfire burns just a few hundred metres away from the community. Badger's town council wrote in an update Thursday morning there was 'no risk to any properties' inside the community. Residents of the community had evacuated Wednesday night following a precautionary order from Premier John Hogan. The town council wrote that members of the community fire department, as well as the RCMP, are patrolling the community throughout the day. 'If you do not have to be near the town of Badger, do not come here,' Chris Tibbs, the MHA who represents the area and neighbouring communities in Newfoundland and Labrador's House of Assembly, told his constituents in a Facebook video just after noon on Thursday. 'We have a heavy RCMP presence on the highway, and it's essential personnel only at this time.' 'Do not hamper the operations today by coming here if you do not need to.' Lisa Dempster, the province's forestry minister, told constituents in an update on Facebook Thursday morning that although the fire didn't grow overnight, officials still needed to see more positive news throughout the day before they could consider lifting the evacuation order. 'No perimeter growth overnight. That's wonderful news, but the fire is still very hot, and they still have a lot of work to do today,' she wrote. Tibbs, who is helping the town's fire department, said there was some improvement in the weather Thursday. After ordering Wednesday's evacuation, Premier John Hogan travelled to the Joe Byrne Arena in Grand Falls-Windsor, the registration point for Badger evacuees, and spoke with some of the red cross personnel. 'In an emergency you can be sure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are there to help in any way they can,' he wrote on Facebook. 'The response in Grand Falls-Windsor and surrounding towns to assist evacuees was incredible and I thank them for their quick action and continued support of their neighbours.' Officials believe the fire broke out Tuesday evening after a lightning strike. It's grown to 650 hectares in size.
