A Dire Situation Unfolds

As forest fire season reaches its peak, Newfoundland and Labrador is grappling with an alarming crisis. This year alone, the province has reported over 160 wildfires—three times the total number from all of 2024, which only saw 51 incidents.

Devastation Strikes Chance Harbour

Minister of Forestry, Lisa Dempster, is sounding the alarm as properties in Chance Harbour, Bonavista Bay, face destruction. Just yesterday, three cabins were lost to the flames—devastation that can’t be undone.

A Message to the Public

"Nothing can replace the loss of life, but I know the pain of losing cherished property," Dempster expressed during an interview on VOCM Mornings. The province has enacted a fire ban to help mitigate the situation, and Dempster urges people to exercise caution.

Drones in the Skies: A Dangerous Distraction

In her message, Dempster also addressed those trying to capture drone footage of the fires. "When drones are in the sky, we can’t operate our firefighting planes effectively," she warned. She encourages residents to be patient and understanding, as the province battles these raging fires.