NL Declares Regional State of Emergency as Wildfires Force Nearly 3,000 From Their Homes

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier John Hogan (L) and Minister of Justice and Public Safety John Haggie hold a news conference providing a wildfire update, at the Confederation Building, in St. John's, N.L., on Aug. 7, 2025. The Canadian Press/Paul Daly

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Public Safety John Haggie has announced a regional state of emergency in the Bay de Verde Peninsula, north of Bristol’s Hope and Whiteway.

The province had seven active fires as of Aug. 9, with two of those being classified as out-of-control, and nearly 3,000 people were under evacuation orders, Premier John Hogan said during an Aug. 9 news conference.

Hogan said the province was expecting 20 firefighters from Ontario to arrive, and that the Canadian Coast Guard helicopters were in use. He also noted the Canadian Armed Forces were preparing for deployment.

“Collectively, the support has more than doubled our fire suppression efforts, and 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 during the news conference.

The premier also said four water bombers and a bird dog aircraft were expected to arrive over the weekend from Quebec.

The province noted that the state of emergency was not a full regional evacuation, but advised residents in the area to be prepared to evacuate on short notice.

Evacuation orders for the region include the towns of Small Point–Adam’s Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove, Western Bay, and Salmon Cove, as well as the unincorporated areas of Kingston, Perry’s Cove, Ochre Pit Cove, and Burnt Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay.

The Town of Victoria is on an evacuation alert.

Provincial officials said that those who had evacuated their primary residence and registered with the Red Cross will be eligible for a $500 payment.

“You must have registered with the Red Cross ... you don’t have to be using their facilities. You may have found somewhere else to lodge your head, but you have to be registered with them to be eligible for this,” Haggie said.

He said they would be working with the Red Cross over the next 48 hours to determine how to dispense the money.

The province said forest fire services were “working diligently” to suppress and control the spread of the wildfires, but noted current weather conditions and forecast conditions were “conducive to extreme fire behaviour.”

It also reminded residents that a fire ban is in effect across the whole province, and open fires are not permitted.

Newfoundland and Labrador Crime Stoppers announced a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the identification and arrest of anyone responsible for intentionally starting a fire.