Out-of-Control Wildfire on Newfoundland’s Bonavista Peninsula Destroys Cabins

St. John’s, The Gulf Observer: A rapidly spreading wildfire on Newfoundland’s Bonavista Peninsula has destroyed several cabins and remains the province’s only out-of-control blaze, provincial fire authorities confirmed Tuesday night.

Speaking to media, Provincial Fire Duty Officer Mark Lawlor said there are now nine active wildfires burning across Newfoundland and Labrador, including two in Labrador. However, only the Chance Harbour fire, located approximately 300 kilometers north of St. John’s, remains out of control, currently covering an estimated 1,200 hectares.

The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture issued a statement confirming that the fire has not expanded beyond 1,200 hectares, but suppression efforts remain heavily focused on its southeastern flank. Authorities have deployed 25 personnel to support an incident management team on site, with additional ground crews expected to arrive by Wednesday.

“The forecast suggests the wildfire will remain quite active and fire suppression operations will continue to expand over the next several days,” the department stated.

Lawlor acknowledged the destruction of a number of cabins in the area, though the exact number remains unknown, with more structures potentially at risk. He emphasized that while Jamestown and Winter Brook—two nearby communities—are currently not under threat, authorities are maintaining a high state of readiness.

An evacuation order was issued Monday for individuals with properties along the Chance Harbour Resource Road, prompting many to flee the area. The road was officially closed to the public Tuesday afternoon as a safety measure.

In Labrador, two additional wildfires are being monitored. One is located 10 to 15 kilometers southeast of Cartwright, and another is burning approximately 80 kilometers east of Churchill Falls. A previously reported third fire near Port Hope Simpson was later ruled to be inaccurate.

Lawlor urged the public to remain vigilant and refrain from activities that could ignite new fires, especially as firefighting resources are being reallocated from stabilized fires to tackle more urgent threats. “We have a lot of fires now that are under control where we’re taking resources off … so that we have people available to respond to any new fires,” he said.

The cause of the Chance Harbour fire is still under investigation. A provincewide fire ban remains in effect and is expected to continue as long as dry weather conditions persist.

Meanwhile, local residents have begun sharing harrowing accounts of the blaze. Ryan Pitts, a longtime resident of the Chance Harbour area, described witnessing the fire engulf cabins as he tried to help others escape. His parents were staying at a family member’s cabin when the fire broke out.

“What can you say? You’re watching it all burn and there’s nothing you can do,” Pitts told reporters. He recounted how the sky turned from white plumes to black smoke as the fire advanced rapidly. “By the time I got out there, it was just consuming everything,” he said.

As fire crews continue their efforts, officials are urging the public to stay informed, adhere to evacuation orders and road closures, and avoid high-risk fire behaviors during this critical period.