Kingston fire now 10,708 hectares
Premier John Hogan giving wildfire update at 10:15 a.m. NT
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Kingston fire is 10,708 hectares.
Paddy's Pond Fire is 318 hectares.
Martin Lake fire is 1,770 hectares.
The Kingston wildfire burning out of control on Newfoundland's Conception Bay North is now more than 10,000 hectares in size.
Provincial fire duty officer Bryan Oke said the Kingston fire remains active, primarily along its western and southwestern edges.
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"There was a slight increase in size. It's now at 10,708 hectares. That's primarily due to more accurate mapping," Oke told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show.
Oke says he anticipates after a low cloud ceiling lifts, they will be able to get aerial support moving to fight the fire.
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He added Monday was a great day fighting the Kingston fire, with multiple missions being carried out as well as work on structure protection and putting out hot spots.
"We're starting to see multiple days with continuous improvement, which is great," said Oke.
He said the Paddy's Pond fire has had no change in size but there's a lot of heat in the ground. He added the perimeter containment is almost complete and the fire is mostly surrounded with hoses and sprinklers.
In central, he said they will continue work on structure protection and putting out hot spots at the Martin Lake fire.
Oke also anticipates cooler, wet weather will help firefighting efforts.
"The cooler temperatures and rain supports fire suppression activities throughout the province here today."
He said aerial missions are planned for the Kingston fire, and the Martin Lake fire will have helicopters and ground crews on site.
"So we're hopeful it's going to be a productive day," said Oke.
As of Tuesday morning, only a portion of Newfoundland and Labrador is considered to be at a high risk of fire. (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)
Premier John Hogan is giving a wildfire update at 10:15 a.m. NT.
According to the provincial fire hazard map, as of Tuesday morning, the only areas in the province considered to be at an extreme risk of fire are portions of the Bonavista Peninsula as well as the Trinity Bay area. The rest of the island of Newfoundland ranges from a low to very high risk of fire, whereas in Labrador the risk ranges from a low to high fire risk.
As of Monday evening, evacuation orders remain in effect for Small Point–Broad Cove–Blackhead–Adam's Cove, Salmon Cove, Western Bay, Kingston, Perry's Cove, Ochre Pit Cove and Burnt Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay.
Evacuation alerts, where residents are advised to be ready to leave, are in effect for Victoria, Job's Cove and Freshwater.
A regional state of emergency is in place for a portion of the Bay de Verde Peninsula, from Bristol's Hope to Whiteway.
Access to cabin areas in Rushy Pond Road, Martin Lake Road and Miguels Lake Road are closed and the area is under an evacuation advisory.
The off-road vehicle restriction remains in place for forested areas where fire index is high, very high or extreme. It will be in place until 11:59 p.m. NT on Wednesday, when it will be reviewed based on fire conditions.
Off-road vehicles include ATVs, quads, side-by-sides and dirt bikes.
Fines for breaching the provincewide fire ban also remain in place.
Rain, cooler temperatures
Meteorologist Haley Wigmore says the northeast Avalon Peninsula and Bonavista region will have showers throughout Tuesday and overnight, dropping between 10 to 15 millimetres of rain. Temperatures will be in the mid-teens.
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She added the south coast is getting showers, which will taper off and conditions will remain cloudy overnight.
Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for St. John's and the surrounding area due to smoke from the Kingston fire. An air quality warning is in effect for the north Avalon Peninsula.
This article, written by Elizabeth Whitten, was originally published for CBC News. With files from The St. John’s Morning Show
Thumbnail image courtesy: Department of Fisheries and Oceans via CBC