ST. JOHN'S — The Newfoundland and Labrador government has assembled a committee to lead recovery efforts in the Conception Bay North area, where a wildfire has destroyed about 100 structures.
The fire that began two weeks ago near Kingston, N.L., is still burning out of control and thousands of people remain evacuated. Premier John Hogan says the province will work with local governments to support the region's recovery when the blaze is finally contained.
"We will face a serious challenge in this part of the province, as a community and as a region," Hogan told reporters Monday in St. John's. "We must remain focused on the present emergency situation and fires that are still burning, but we will have to and we will immediately turn our attention to medium- and longer-term impacts of these fires."
Meanwhile, in Nova Scotia, officials said Monday that the Long Lake fire in Annapolis County had grown to more than 20 square kilometres. No homes have been damaged or destroyed, but a few camper trailers have been lost, the Department of Natural Resources said on social media.
Wildfires across Atlantic Canada have been driven by a spate of sweltering temperatures and drought-like conditions. Newfoundland received some reprieve on Friday, when rain fell across much of the island, including in the area of the Kingston fire and around the fire at Paddy's Pond, near St. John's. Temperatures have also dropped — Environment Canada even issued a frost warning for much of the island over the weekend.
"I think the province had a collective sigh of relief on Friday, when the skies opened up," Hogan said. "Surprising, of course, that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are cheering for cold and wet conditions, but that's certainly where we are right now."
Nova Scotia's Annapolis County has seen little rain, however. Officials said four planes from the Northwest Territories and two contracted helicopters were battling the Long Lake wildfire from the air, while more than 100 firefighters were on the ground.
The Kingston fire in Newfoundland encompassed about 98 square kilometres on Monday — nearly the size of the city of Paris.
Officials have so far confirmed that 98 structures connected to power metres have been lost in the fire, which stretches up the northwestern coast of Conception Bay in eastern Newfoundland. Damage assessments are ongoing. Hogan said the government would start notifying residents of Western Bay and Ochre Pit Cove Monday if their home was destroyed.
"We are moving as fast as we can," he said. "It will take some time to understand the scope of what is needed, given that it is still a very active emergency situation. But as I've said, these fires will come to an end. And we will be there for you for the recovery and response process."
In New Brunswick, officials said a 14-square-kilometre fire north of Miramichi had been contained, but seven other wildfires in the province were burning out of control.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2025.
The Canadian Press
