People flee, homes destroyed as wildfires rage in eastern Newfoundland

A wildfire has destroyed at least 30 structures on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula. NTV News correspondents report from the scene.

SMALL POINT-ADAM'S COVE-BLACKHEAD-BROAD COVE — Residents of two small communities in eastern Newfoundland fled their homes Thursday as a wildfire raged along the shore of Conception Bay, burning houses and other buildings about 45 kilometres northwest of St. John’s.

The fire began Wednesday in the town of Adam’s Cove and by Thursday afternoon it had damaged more than 20 structures, including houses and garages, driven by dry conditions and high winds, officials said.

In a community centre in Small Point, N.L., about 50 people, many displaced by the flames, chatted nervously and celebrated a sudden cascade of rain.

“There are people who are here today and they don’t know if their house is still there,” said Marie Kennell, a volunteer working in the kitchen helping to feed evacuees. She had been ferrying sandwiches and hot tea to the local firefighters since Wednesday afternoon.

Joan Dwyer, another volunteer working alongside Kennell, said she has never seen anything like the wildfire in Adam’s Cove.

“It’s scary,” she said. “It’s unreal.”

The Adam’s Cove fire was one of six to light up in eastern Newfoundland on Wednesday. By Thursday afternoon, it measured about five square kilometres and was listed as “being held,” meaning it was unlikely to spread further, said Jeff Motty, supervisor of forest protection with the Newfoundland and Labrador government.

Southwest of St. John’s, near Holyrood, a wildfire was burning about one kilometre from Butterpot Provincial Park. But officials said it did not present a threat to structures, and the weather looked favourable for fire suppression.

A state of emergency was declared in Adam’s Cove, and a portion of the town was evacuated. Residents in nearby Western Bay were also asked to leave. RCMP closed off part of the highway connecting the towns, to keep people away from the flames.

The coastal towns largely consist of colourful clapboard houses scattered along the rocky cliffs that plunge into Conception Bay. Western Bay is home to about 225 people, and the amalgamated town of Small Point-Adam’s Cove-Blackhead-Broad Cove has a population of about 415.

Town Mayor Curtis Delaney said it was still too soon to say when people might be able to return home. Those displaced were staying with family or friends. About 150 showed up for a community breakfast in the town hall Thursday morning, and people were feeling hopeful, and grateful for the rain, Delaney said.

Inside the hall, tables were piled high with water, juice, packs of muffins and other snacks. There were diapers and toiletries for anyone who needed them. Resident Gerry Rogers said her phone was alight with messages from people from all over the country, trying to find their friends and family who live in the area.

Rogers had to leave her home Thursday morning. She said she could see the flames approaching from her window.

“To be somewhere where there’s a raging fire -- a raging fire! -- and you’re surrounded by water,” Rogers said, her voice catching. “It’s so ironic, you know? Because we’re right on the ocean.”

Motty said water bombers doused the flames on Wednesday and Thursday, and crews remained to stamp out hot spots and assess the damage to the area. The cause of the fire was still under investigation, he said.

This report by The Canadian Press’ Sarah Smellie was first published May 8, 2025.