Raging #wildfires force several Avalon communities to evacuate, others on alert
Fire duty officer Jeff Motty says
Tuesday's plan is to assess fires and attack

Elizabeth Whitten · CBC News · Posted: Aug 05, 2025

"Wildfires burning out of control on #Newfoundland's #AvalonPeninsula 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–#AdamsCove – Blackhead – #BroadCove 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.

"On Tuesday afternoon, Premier John Hogan said the fire had doubled overnight to more than 700 hectares.

"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 #ConceptionBay North residents who believe it could be #arson.

" 'I'm not making a judgment call, one way or another,' said Motty."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-fire-aug-5-1.7601226

#Wildfires #NewfoundlandWildfires