Evacuation order lifted for small wildfire near lumberyard in eastern Newfoundland

A wildfire that prompted evacuations in the area of Lethbridge, N.L., is shown in a Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, handout image after it broke out earlier in the day. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Jessica O'Neill (Mandatory Credit)

LETHBRIDGE — A wildfire evacuation order has been lifted in the community of Lethbridge in eastern Newfoundland.

Some residents had been forced to leave their homes after a one-hectare fire started on Sunday in a bark pile near a lumberyard and spread to a nearby forest.

The fire did not grow overnight, and an official with the local service district says the fire has been contained.

Annie Harris says on Facebook that all residents of Lethbridge remain under evacuation alert, meaning they have to be ready to flee on a moment’s notice.

Firefighting ground crews and three water bombers were called in to help the local fire department.

Lethbridge is north of Clarenville and about 200 kilometres northwest of St. John’s.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 8, 2025.