Evacuation order issued for N.L. communities as wildfire threat grows
Residents in the Conception Bay North area of Newfoundland are being ordered to evacuate as a wildfire burns about one kilometre away from several communities in the region.
In a press release Monday afternoon, the Department of Forestry said its evacuation order for the towns of Small Point–Adam's Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove and Kingston is due to extreme wildfire behaviour in the area.
SEE ALSO: Parts of Canada under blanket of wildfire smoke, degraded air quality lingers
Since Monday morning, the fire has grown six times in size.
Forestry spokesperson Eric Humber said in a statement that residents should be prepared for at least 72 hours with food, water, batteries, a portable radio, important documents and prescription medications.
"Residents should always have a basic emergency kit available," Humber said.
A reception centre has been set up at Persalvic School Complex in Victoria for evacuees.
"Water bombers, helicopters and ground crews are actioning the fire with support from volunteer fire departments. Officials are watching the fire behaviour very closely." said the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture in a social media post issued around 10 a.m. NT on Monday.
The approximate size of the wildfire is currently 156 hectares, according to the department.
The department is asking residents to pay attention to government channels for updates.
Around midnight, the provincial government issued an evacuation alert, asking the communities from Kingston to Adam's Cove and Broad Cove to be ready to evacuate if the call was made.
Two water bombers, a helicopter and crews responded to the fire burning near Kingston on Sunday evening, and estimated the fire was approximately 25 hectares in size at the time.
The province added suppression efforts would resume Monday morning.
On the Facebook page for the town of Small Point-Adam's Cove-Blackhead-Broad Cove, residents were also urged to be ready to flee and keep the roads clear so emergency crews in the area could travel efficiently.
It also said Route 70 near Kingston has been temporarily closed.
The province says two water bombers, a helicopter and crews were sent to fight the wildfire burning near Kingston on Sunday. (Submitted by Ryan Pitts)
According to the provincial wildfire map, the out-of-control fire broke out on Sunday.
The province also lists the area on its fire hazard map as having an extreme risk of fire.
Meteorologist Robert Grove told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show there are "gusty" southwest winds and conditions will be dry along the coast, and that's "not ideal" for firefighting.
"But the winds should taper off and switch directions tonight, so hopefully that will be a little bit of help," said Grove.
Recurring fires
Multiple wildfires have put the Conception Bay North community on edge in recent months.
In May, a large fire ravaged the community of Adam's Cove, forcing residents to evacuate and destroying 12 homes and 45 other structures.
Resident Marie Kennell, who started preparing food for firefighters and rescue crews early on Monday, has been in Small Point for 47 years.
Kennell told CBC News the fires are becoming too common.
As of Monday morning, the Conception Bay North area is considered at a extreme risk of fire. (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)
"It's happening too often in our communities. Everyone around here are really upset over it, and there's nothing being done, right now," Kennell said.
'On edge'
Georgia Slade, who works at the Small Point General Store, said she found out about the evacuation alert around 1 a.m. and she was already awake because her father, a firefighter, was helping fight the Kingston fire.
Her first reaction to the alert was to grab important documents, like her passport, as well as things that have personal significance.
"At this point we all kind of know what's important to bring and what's not important to bring. And everyone's just kind of on edge now, at this point," she told CBC News.
If an evacuation order is issued for the area, Slade said she'll be heading "anywhere that's out of this community."
People are already dropping by the general store to get gas for their vehicles so they can be ready to leave, she added.
"Everyone has a little bit of panic in them but at the same time we're like, 'OK, if we freak out it's just going to make matters worse.' Everyone just does what they can," said Slade.
Hot and dry weather conditions continue across most of the province.
In central Newfoundland, the Town of Gander announced it was cancelling its Gander Day fireworks because of the very high risk of wildfires in the area.
Thumbnail courtesy of Submitted by Ryan Pitts via CBC.
The story was originally written by Elizabeth Whitten and Jenna Head, and published for CBC News. It contains files from The St. John’s Morning Show.