Cold weekend temperatures limit Kingston wildfire growth; suppression continues
Colder temperatures usually aren't exciting news, but this weekend it brought a sigh of relief for evacuees and firefighters. The province says Sunday's temperatures and low winds will help crews with suppression efforts.
N.L. forest fire duty officer Bryan Oke said Sunday morning that there was no change to the Kingston fire's boundary size on Saturday.
"We [had] some of the activity in the south yesterday but crews were able to maintain their relative boundaries," Oke told CBC's Weekend AM.
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The province says the Kingston wildfire is still active and remains around 9,519 hectares in size. A regional state of emergency also remains in place for the Bay de Verde Peninsula, from Bristol's Hope to Whiteway.
Activity on the southern edge of the fire produced significant smoke in the area on Saturday, and it burned along the coastline in the evening.
Throughout Saturday, six water bombers from N.L. and Ontario worked alongside two heavy-capacity helicopters and three light helicopters to fight the fire.
Northerly winds cleared smoke in the area, said the province, which allowed ground crews to work without interruption for the first time in several days.
The Canadian Armed Forces along with volunteer fire departments will continue to scan for hot spots and work on structure protection, said the province.
In the north, a fuel break ranging 4 kilometres in length is now complete. The province also said the fuel break in Perry's Cove is holding.
A fire burning near Paddy's Pond, N.L., on Aug. 11, 2025. (Submitted to CBC by Peter Gullage)
On Sunday, aerial and ground crews will continue to fight the fire at the northern and southern edges, including seven water bombers, a sprinkler line and four heavy-capacity helicopters. Ground crews and local fire departments are also continuing work.
The province says forecasted frost and low easterly winds on Sunday is expected to limit growth and help with suppression.
Small Point-Adam's Cove-Blackhead-Broad Cove Mayor Curtis Delaney said though the Kingston fire has now been burning for two weeks, there is finally a bit of optimism as weather conditions change.
"This has been a long couple of weeks," said Delaney. "I know there's a lot of work that has to be done yet, but hopefully … we'll be able to get a good handle on this over the next few days."
Martin Lake
Oke said there was good news for the Martin Lake fire on Saturday. Winds shifted in the Rushy Pond area, which helped make good progress.
The province says there was minimal growth overnight, and that the fire has shrunk to 1,770 hectares.
Drivers on the Bay D'Espoir highway can expect to see smoke Sunday. The highway will remain open, but there will be limited access from 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily. (Vince MacKenzie/Facebook)
Oke says drivers can anticipate seeing some smoke along Route 360, the Bay d'Espoir Highway, on Sunday. The highway will remain open in a limited capacity from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
There was a delay in aerial suppression Saturday morning, but work was able to proceed later in the day, including a waterbomber and a bird dog, as well as bucketing helicopters and air tractors. On Sunday, four waterbombers, a bird dog and a helicopter will continue the work.
Ground crews will also continue in the cabin areas of Rushy Pond and Martin Lake.
Paddy's Pond and Labrador
The state of emergency and evacuation alerts for the Paddy's Pond fire were lifted on Saturday.
The province says that the Paddy's Pond fire still remains active and is 318 hectares in size. (Mark Crosby/CBC)
The province says that the fire still remains active at about 318 hectares in size, but that it is "holding steady thanks to heavy suppression efforts."
On Sunday, the St. John's Regional Fire Department, the Canadian Armed Forces and 20 firefighters from British Columbia will continue work on hotspots.
"Crews are providing good reports there and saying it's looking good in that area as well," said Oke.
Meanwhile in Labrador, another fire is burning in Udjuktok Bay, and is an estimated 340 hectares.
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Oke says that fire is being monitored and that there are no values at risk at this time.
"Certainly we'll be doing the checks through the week," he said.
This article, written by Abby Cole, was originally published for CBC News. Header image courtesy of Canadian Armed Forces via CBC.