The Provincial Government is working closely with federal, municipal and community partners during this unprecedented wildfire situation to ensure the health and safety of residents.

The three Air Tractor 802s aircrafts provided by New Brunswick are expected to arrive in the province today.

An evacuation alert is still in effect for the Town of Salmon Cove and the unincorporated area of Ochre Pit Cove.

For evacuees from Small Point–Adam’s Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove, Kingston, Western Bay and Perry’s Cove

Information for evacuees:

ALL evacuees MUST register with Canadian Red Cross, either:

in person at the Persalvic School Complex in Victoria, or,
by calling 709-729-0921.

If residents take shelter elsewhere, you are still required to register.
Emergency partners with the Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army and Ground Search and Rescue are on-site, and are available to assist with food and emergency accommodations for those that require assistance.
While Salvation Army appreciates the outpouring of support from local residents, it advises prepared food from personal homes cannot be accepted. Salvation Army needs to ensure appropriate food health and safety standards, and can only accept un-opened pre-packaged food or items from commercial kitchens and/or restaurants.

Information on wildfire:

Overnight, easterly winds shifted south and caused growth towards the west and southwest edge of the fire. The fire is approximately 1,432 hectares, doubling in size since yesterday.
Three water bombers, a bird dog aircraft, helicopters, and ground crews will be actioning the fire. Ground crews will focus on the southern edge of the fire near Perry’s Cove and local fire departments will work on structure protection where possible.

Roads are closed at the following places:

Ochre Pit Cove entrance from Western Bay
Route 70 near Dry Hill Road/Old Main Road
Salmon Cove Road just north of Governors Pond Road

For evacuees from sections of Holyrood and sections of Conception Bay South

Information for evacuees:

ALL evacuees MUST register with Canadian Red Cross, either:

In person at Robert French Memorial Stadium, 70 Legion Road, Conception Bay South, or,
by calling 709-729-0921.

If residents take shelter elsewhere, you are still required to register.
Emergency partners with the Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army and Ground Search and Rescue are on-site, and are available to assist with food and emergency accommodations for those that require assistance.
While Salvation Army appreciates the outpouring of support from local residents, it advises prepared food from personal homes cannot be accepted. Salvation Army needs to ensure appropriate food health and safety standards and can only accept un-opened pre-packaged food or items from commercial kitchens and/or restaurants.

Information on wildfire:

The wildfire in Holyrood is still active however efforts by water bombers to hold the perimeter were successful.
Today ground crews are digging into the fire. A helicopter will also work the fire with support from waterbombers as needed.
The size remains at 22 hectares.
Roads are closed at the following places:

Seal Cove Road
377 Conception Bay Highway

Cabin owners in Martin Lake and Great Rattling Brook

Information for evacuees:

ALL evacuees are advised to leave the area immediately.

Information on wildfire:

An Incident Management Team will be deployed today and suppression efforts will continue with a water bomber, three helicopters and ground crews.
Sprinkler protection is being set up in cabin areas.
The fire is approximately 190 hectares.
Please monitor official channels as roads may have to be closed throughout today.

The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is at Level 2 and is actively coordinating emergency response. Emergency management partners have been engaged to respond, where necessary. Updates on conditions, resources and assistance will be made available continuously throughout this evolving situation.

For the most up to date information, visit www.gov.nl.ca/alerts and follow the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on Facebook and on X.

The latest information on the location, status, and size of active wildfires can be viewed online at the NL Active Wildfire Dashboard.

Reporting Suspected Illegal Activity
The Resource Enforcement Division of the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture encourages those with information related to the starting of fires to contact them at 709-729-2192. The public can also report anonymously by calling 1-877-820-0999 or contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS

Fire Hazard Rating
Due to ongoing extreme Fire Hazard Rating in District 02 (Clarenville, Bonavista area), all forestry operations in the area have been suspended.

A province-wide fire ban is now in effect in Newfoundland and Labrador.

To report a wildfire, call: 1-866-709-FIRE (3473).

Air Quality
Ash from the wildfires is falling in Victoria and surrounding area. Wildfires can increase air pollution levels, and fire smoke contains particles and pollutants that can harm your health. For air quality information, visit Air Quality Health Index and AQmap.

A Special Air Quality Statement from Environment Canada remains in effect for:

St. John’s and vicinity
Bonavista North
Gander and vicinity
Terra Nova
Clarenville and vicinity
Bonavista Peninsula

Environment and Climate Change Canada have issued Air Quality Warnings for:

Avalon Peninsula North
Grand Falls-Windsor and vicinity
Bay of Exploits

The Air Quality Health Index for St. John’s is forecasted as low risk for today and predicts maximums of 2 (Low Risk), except 7 (High Risk) in smoke, through to Thursday night. (Newfoundland and Labrador – Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) – Environment Canada).

The Air Quality Health Index for Grand Falls-Windsor forecasted as ‘moderate risk’, except 10 (High Risk) in smoke on Wednesday, and 2 (Low Risk), except 7 (High Risk) in smoke, through to Thursday night.

Health Care
Both the Holyrood Community Services Building and the Western Bay Medical Clinic are closed due to wildfires.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately. For all non-emergency medical support, please call the 811 HealthLine.

Mental Health
An emergency event can lead to fear and anxiety. Mental health resources and supports are on hand at each reception centre.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, need support, or are looking for health information, call 811.

If you are feeling anxious and alone, you can also call the Lifewise Provincial Warm Line at 1-855-753-2560 seven days a week from 10:00am to midnight NDT, to speak with a trained peer support worker who is there and ready to listen.

You can also visit Bridge the Gapp to access age-appropriate programs and services that are available locally, confidential and free.

Watercraft
Residents are reminded to avoid using watercraft in bodies of water when aircraft from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Agriculture are in the area. Recreational watercrafts are impacting waterbombers from picking up water, hindering suppression efforts.

Use of Drones
The operation of drones in the vicinity of forest fires creates unsafe conditions for water bombers to protect communities.

All drone operators and the general public are asked to respect the dedicated efforts of our province’s firefighting personnel. Unauthorized drone use can result in fines and legal action.

For information about flying your drone safely and legally please visit the Transport Canada website here.

Transportation
NL511 provides up-to-date information on driving conditions, highway cameras, major incidents, current ferry status updates, and weather.

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2025 08 06
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