Premier John Hogan announced that the government of Newfoundland and Labrador is declaring a regional state of emergency for Bay de Verde Peninsula, North of Bristol’s Hope and Whiteway. (Julia Israel/CBC)
Premier John Hogan announced Saturday the government of Newfoundland and Labrador is declaring a regional state of emergency for Bay de Verde Peninsula, North of Bristol’s Hope and Whiteway.
“A state of emergency allows our government another tool in our toolbox to help continue our best efforts to keep the community safe,” said Hogan.
Hogan also announced that the province has received word a fire has started near Gull Island, in Labrador. He says once thunderstorms pass in the area, a helicopter and ground crews will be on the way.
Despite the state of emergency, Hogan clarified that only communities under evacuation orders are required to evacuate at this time, but other communities are encouraged to prepare to evacuate. He also advised communities to stay tuned and to follow trusted sources of information for updates.
There is a population of about 14,000 people in the area of the evacuation order.
WATCH | State of emergency to give government more tools to keep communities safe: 
N.L. calls regional state of emergency for Bay de Verde Peninsula as wildfire burns
Premier John Hogan announced Saturday the government of Newfoundland and Labrador is declaring a regional state of emergency for Bay de Verde Peninsula, North of Bristol’s Hope and Whiteway. While it isn’t a full evacuation order, he says residents of the region should be prepared to evacuate.
Saturday afternoon, the province ordered Burnt Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay to evacuate in addition to the six other communities already evacuated.
Small Point–Adam’s Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove, Western Bay, Salmon Cove, Kingston, Perry’s Cove, Ochre Pit Cove and Burnt Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay all remain under an evacuation order. The Town of Victoria remains under an evacuation alert.
Evacuees from Burnt Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay have been asked to travel north on Route 70 to Carbonear, where they are required to register with the Canadian Red Cross at Carbonear Academy.
Alternatively, residents can register by calling 709-729-0921.
Extreme weather conditions, Saturday
These updates come as St. John’s experienced its second warmest August day on record, according to a social media post by Environment Canada meteorologist Rodney Barney.
Weather conditions are coupled with winds conducive to extreme wildfire behaviour in Conception Bay North. Ground crews that were working on the Kingston Fire have now been removed due to safety concerns, said Hogan.
“I want to ensure Newfoundlanders and Laboradorians, especially those on the Bay de Verde Peninsula, that all hands are on deck,” said Hogan.
Four water bombers, three helicopters and ground crews attacked the fire in C.B.N throughout the day, Friday. (Ryan Cooke/CBC)
Hogan added that two more water bombers and a bird dog plane will also be coming from Ontario on Sunday to assist fire suppression.
That is in addition to Two water bombers and a Bird Dog aircraft from Quebec were expected to arrive at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, said N.L. fire duty officer Mark Lawlor said Saturday.
New Brunswick also sent water bombers earlier in the week.
The province also said that 20 firefighters from Ontario are also arriving over the weekend.
Hogan said out-of-province supports have more than doubled fire suppression efforts.
“It also helps to provide a breather for the hard working crew and the volunteers who have been working intensely over the last week,” he said.
Open fires still reported
Fires are also still being set in the province despite a fire ban, according to the premier. He is aware that there is at least one investigation into a potential fine being issues under the stricter fines that were implemented this week.
Fines were increased to $50,000 for a first offence on Friday. Subsequent offences are now $75,000 to $150,000 and defaulting on a payment could see up to a year in a jail.
He said fires being set is distressing.
“I don’t know how many times they said it this week…please, please do not start fires or do anything that can lead to fires,” said Hogan.
“I’m frustrated. I’m annoyed, I’m sad,” said Hogan. ” I see the volunteers. I mean, they’re just pouring their heart and soul into this. … People need to understand that these fines are serious and that the penalties are serious.”
At least 9 homes destroyed
The Town of Small Point–Adam’s Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove confirmed Saturday that the fire in Conception Bay North has grown to 3,001 hectares in size.
Much of Newfoundland and Labrador is under an extreme risk of fire as of 3 p.m. NT Saturday. (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)
The town’s mayor, Curtis Delaney, confirmed Saturday morning that nine homes have been destroyed by the fire.
Delaney says property owners have been notified and couldn’t confirm which communities saw property damage.
The town says personnel from the Canadian Armed Forces and Ground Search and Rescue are arriving Saturday.
Lawlor said Saturday morning that fire crews worked the fire’s southern end and around the communities and started building a fire guard throughout the day Friday
Good news for Holyrood
All evacuation orders issued for Holyrood and Conception Bay South have now been lifted, said the Province in a 4:15 p.m. news release on Saturday.
Conception Bay Highway, or Route 60, is now open as well.
But residents are still being advised that the fire is still active and that fire crews remain on scene to work on hotspots.
The province also wants residents returning to their properties to proceed with caution. If needed, they can seek guidance from town officials and first responders.
The province is also alerting residents that their well water may be impacted if the fire occurred close to their property. Free well testing is available through the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
The province says there was good progress made toward suppressing the Holyrood fire on Friday.
On Saturday morning, Conception Bay South Mayor Darrin Bent said the Holyrood fire remains approximately 22 hectares. He said that there was no open flame on Friday.
Lawlor said that fire is now just hotspots and ground crews and a helicopter continue to work on it.
A hose line is in place around the entire fire perimeter and staff continuing to dig out and wet hotspots,” Hogan said.
Crime Stoppers offering reward for info on fires
Earlier in the day, Crime Stoppers announced it would be offering a $5,000 award to anyone who offers information that leads to the identification and arrest of anyone responsible for starting fires in Newfoundland and Labrador.
A barricade near Perry’s Cove, in Conception Bay West. (Ryan Cooke/CBC)
At Saturday’s update, Hogan said he hopes offering this award, along with the ability to provide information anonymously, will lead to a charge or conviction of anyone responsible for starting fires.
“It’s very clear that this is an extraordinary circumstance that the province is facing,” he said.
Across the province, there are about 3,000 individuals and 1,500 households under evacuation orders, said Hogan at a 2:00 p.m. public update.
Hogan says the government is working to do what they can to support individuals impacted by the fires.
Health Minister John Haggie also announced that households that have evacuated their primary residences will also receive a $500 payment.
The government will be working with the Red Cross to determine a way to distribute these funds, and more details will be available in the coming days, says Haggie.
Haggie added the government is consulting with insurance companies and will be developing new policy in the coming days for future fires.
Central N.L. fire holds
The Martin Lake fire also still burns near the Bay D’Espoir highway, and cabins in the area remain evacuated.
The Martin Lake wildfire burning about 36 kilometers away from the Bay d’Espoir highway and is about 245 hectares in size. (Vince MacKenzie/Facebook)
That fire increased slightly to about 245 hectares in size, with some growth on the North and South edges, said Hogan.
However, fire crews have continued to hold the line, said Hogan at the 6:00 p.m. update on Saturday.
Lawlor says an air tanker, helicopter and three planes from New Brunswick, plus ground crews, worked the fire Friday.
While there are a lot of hot spots, he says there was minimal growth on Friday.
Hogan said there is a fuel break being constructed as well, and that weather conditions will create challenging fire behaviour throughout the day Saturday.
Crews also started a fire guard that made good progress, said Lawlor.
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