N.L. fire ban remains in effect as crews fight wildfire in Lethbridge
The local service district of Lethbridge, N.L., is partially evacuated after a wildfire started in a bark pile and its adjacent forest outside Sexton Lumber late Sunday afternoon.
The evacuation zone includes the areas of Oldford's Hill to Southwest Bridge and Bayside Drive and Forest Drive, where the saw mill is located.
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A reception centre had opened at Anthony Paddon Elementary in Musgravetown to help evacuated residents. However, on Monday afternoon the provincial government said the centre is now located at the Salvation Army Citadel at 1 Islandview Drive.
Impacted residents need to register with the Canadian Red Cross on-site or by calling 1-800-863-6582.
Three of the four schools in the area closed Monday.
Route 233 remains impassable in both directions to all traffic.
A resident near Lethbridge says two water bombers were seen working on the blaze, and there is a lot of smoke in the community. (Submitted by Jessica ONeill)
The fire is about one hectare in size, according to a Facebook post from the province's Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. The department said the fire didn't grow overnight and two water bombers, a bucketing helicopter and ground crews are continuing to action hot spots.
"It's not seeing the same movement that we were in the latter hours yesterday afternoon," provincial fire duty officer Wes Morgan said Monday morning.
"The ground is so dry underneath, lots of times that [moisture] doesn't get the chance to penetrate deep into the ground, so again it dries off and you're back into where fires can occur," he said.
Provincewide fire ban to continue until at least Friday
Meanwhile, the Newfoundland and Labrador government announced Monday that a provincewide fire ban will continue until at least Friday.
The ban has been in place since Aug. 12 due to extremely dry conditions and multiple wildfires.
(Ryan Cooke/CBC)
The ban prohibits fires, including permits to burn grass, brush or other materials. It also requires off-road vehicles to be equipped with a screen or baffling device to prevent sparks from escaping, and requires operators to travel with a fire extinguisher.
Violating the ban can result in fines starting at $50,000. Not paying that fine can ultimately lead to possible imprisonment.
The ban will be reassessed on Friday.
Morgan said most of the province's wildfires were caused by human activity this year.
"In 2025, we've had 230 fires. 220 of these were human-caused fires," he said.
The forest fire season in Newfoundland and Labrador is in effect until Sept. 30.
"Fires can still occur right on through the fire season and even past the fire season," Morgan said.
Thumbnail courtesy of Jessica ONeill via CBC.
The story was originally written by Jenna Head, Alex Kennedy and published for CBC News.