Home / Disasters and Accidents / Newfoundland Wildfires Subside as Cooler Weather Arrives
Newfoundland Wildfires Subside as Cooler Weather Arrives
18 Aug
Summary
- Cooler temperatures and rainfall provide relief to firefighters
- Crews make progress on major fires in Conception Bay North, near St. John's, and central Newfoundland
- Off-road vehicle ban extended as fire risk remains high
As of August 18th, 2025, the wildfires that have been burning out of control across Newfoundland and Labrador are finally starting to subside, thanks to cooler temperatures and much-needed rainfall.
Provincial fire duty officer Bryan Oke reports that crews have been able to make great progress on the Kingston fire in Conception Bay North, the Paddy's Pond fire near St. John's, and the Martin Lake fire in central Newfoundland. Aerial support has been crucial, and the cooler weather has allowed firefighters to access multiple areas and set up pumps to protect structures.
While the Kingston fire is still estimated to be around 9,850 hectares, Oke says the size estimate could change as the smoke clears. The Paddy's Pond fire, at 318 hectares, has also been nearly fully contained, and the Martin Lake fire, around 1,700 hectares, is the focus of multiple missions on Monday.
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To help prevent further outbreaks, the province has extended the off-road vehicle ban on forested land until at least Wednesday, when it will be reviewed based on the fire conditions. Meteorologist Hailey Wigmore forecasts additional rainfall overnight, with 10-15 millimeters expected in the northwest Avalon and 5-10 millimeters on the south coast.
While the situation is still far from over, the arrival of cooler weather and precipitation has provided a much-needed respite for the firefighters battling these blazes across Newfoundland and Labrador.