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2h ago

B.C. Wildfires Decline While Newfoundland Blaze Expands Evacuations

Coast guard helicopters joined Canadian Forces crews in support of firefighters combating Newfoundland’s growing 2,175-hectare Kingston fire

Traffic leaves the area along highway 4 below the Wesley Ridge wildfire at Cameron Lake near Coombs, B.C., on Sunday, August 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Dartmouth's Shubie Park is shown closed on Wednesday. Mitchell Bailey
Hiking and ATV use are still allowed in Newfoundland and Labrador during the current ban on open fires, but there are some concerns people may be putting themselves and first responders at risk should they need to be evacuated in an emergency situation while the province's firefighting resources are stretched to the limit elsewhere.
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Overview

  • British Columbia has seen active wildfires drop to 107 from over 140 last weekend as rain and cooler weather bolster containment efforts.
  • The Wesley Ridge blaze on Vancouver Island remains out of control at 5.7 square kilometres, though one-third of evacuated properties have been downgraded to evacuation alerts.
  • Crews are building helipads on the rocky terrain at Wesley Ridge to improve access, while about 300 addresses remain under evacuation orders and 353 are on alert.
  • In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Kingston fire has swelled to roughly 2,175 hectares and prompted new mandatory evacuations in Ochre Pit Cove and Salmon Cove.
  • The federal government has deployed Canadian Forces personnel and coast guard support, and Newfoundland has maintained a province-wide fire ban with increased fines for violations.