DEVELOPING: Evacuation order issued for sections Holyrood, CBS due to wildfire

Published Aug 04, 2025Last updated 3 minutes ago4 minute readA provincial government water bomber flies through smoke over route 60 in Holyrood as it makes water drop on a wildfire in the area. A section of Holyrood was evacuated Monday afternoon when fires spread and got too close to inhabited areas. Photo by Keith Gosse/The TelegramArticle contentAn evacuation order has been issued for sections of the Town of Holyrood – including Route 60 from Beaumont Place to the bridge at the entrance of Holyrood, including all side roads, as well as the Terminal Station, Duff’s Road and Green Acres Subdivision, to evacuate immediately.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThat order was expanded Monday night, Aug. 4, to include parts of Conception Bay South.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe town announced that all residents from 1820 Conception Bay Highway to the western boundary of Conception Bay South are now under an evacuation order as well.Article contentAn evacuation alert has been issued for the area from 1375 Conception Bay Highway to 1820 Conception Bay Highway, including all roads in between.Article contentAnyone who has been evacuated is asked to register at the Conception Bay South Arena.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentWater bombers and ground crews are working on fire suppression.Article contentRoute 60 in the evacuation area was covered in smoke, with at least two water bombers doing drops on the fire in that area. It appeared early Monday evening that the fire had crossed the road.Article content A search and rescue vehicle drives through smoke over Route 60 in Holyrood during a wildfire in the area. A section of Holyrood was evacuated Monday afternoon when fires spread and got too close to inhabited areas. Photo by Keith Gosse/The TelegramArticle contentSmall pockets of residents gathered just outside the evacuation area, watching the activity. The Telegram found a small group of residents gathered on a lookout on Daniel’s Road, just west of the fire, that watching the water bombers make drops near their homes. Article contentOne man had just started building a house in the fire area while two others watched the water bombers make drops near their homes. Article content A provincial government water bomber flies through smoke over Route 60 in Holyrood as it makes a water drop on a wildfire in the area. A section of Holyrood was evacuated Monday afternoon when fires spread and got too close to inhabited areas. Photo by Keith Gosse/The TelegramArticle contentThe province announced at 9:30 p.m. Monday that ground crews will be working with local fire departments on the Holyrood fire, focusing on structure protection throughout the night. Article contentRCMP has closed Route 60 from Beaumont Place in Holyrood to the bridge at the entrance of Holyrood (CBS side). Motorists are asked to avoid the area.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentA reception centre is available at Conception Bay South Arena, 13 Mifflen Drive, until 5 p.m. Evacuees arriving after 5 p.m. are asked to go to Robert French Memorial Stadium, 70 Legion Road. The registration telephone number is 709-729-0921.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is at Level 2 and is actively co-ordinating emergency response. Emergency management partners engaged to respond, where necessary.Article contentThe Holyrood fire is considered out-of-control and is estimated to be 20 hectares.Article contentThe province says the fire risk is now considered high and a fire ban is in effect.Article contentWild fire in holyrood! Two bombers at it! Road blocked off 1km away but we where allowed back into area because not in evacuation area yet! Packing and moving vehicles just in case!! Cross fingers!Posted by John Gregory Eells on Monday, August 4, 2025Article contentSmoke from the Holyrood fire prompted Environment Canada to issue a special air quality statement. The smell of smoke was heavy in St. John’s Monday night and Environment Canada warns that it’s reducing local air quality across parts of the northern Avalon Peninsula.Article content“Smoke from wildfires over Conception Bay North and the Holyrood area is reducing air quality in these areas and downwind. Local smoke concentrations will vary with changing winds,” the statement said. It went on to recommend limiting time outdoors and considering reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentNewfoundland and Labrador Hydro says it has evacuated all non-essential personnel from the Holyrood Thermal Generating Station.Article content“The plant and surrounding site have been secured with emergency personnel remaining on-site, while safe to do so, overnight to monitor the situation. Hydro is in close contact with the province’s emergency response and is monitoring the situation,” NL Hydro said in a statement on its website.Article contentThe Holyrood plant is not currently generating power as it is taken offline each summer to conduct annual maintenance.Article contentResidents evacuatingArticle contentThick smoke could be seen billowing over homes in the affected areas while water bombers battled the blaze.Article content“You never think it will actually hit home until it does,” wrote Steve Martin on social media.Article content“Hats off to the Holyrood Fire Dept., supporting fire departments from neighbouring communities, Central Avalon Ground Search and Rescue, waterbomber crews and everyone involved in fighting the ongoing wildfire in Holyrood/CBS area. The response has been pretty incredible! Thinking of everyone evacuated and hope the hard work of those fighting the blaze gets everyone back home soon!”Article contentArticle contentLocal businesses in the Holyrood area offered information and help to evacuating residents. The Holyrood Orange Store, for example, announced that it was open and had gas available and evacuating residents could charge their devices if needed.Article contentArticle contentOffers of help have been coming in from the community, including aid with evacuating 30 horses from the area.Article contentKingston fireArticle contentThe wildfire near the Town of Small Point–Adam’s Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove and the unincorporated area of Kingston remains very active, the province said in a 9:30 p.m. update on Monday. Article contentWater bombers, helicopters and ground crews have been fighting the fire and held the perimeter for most of the day. Article contentHowever, a late evening surge has pushed the fire into the southwest edge of Small Point–Adams Cove. The fire has grown in size, but due to heavy smoke, precise mapping is not possible at this time. According to the province active wildfire dashboard, however, it’s estimated to be around 258 hectares.Article contentAir and ground suppression action will continue in the coming days, the province said in the update.Article contentAll evacuees must register with Canadian Red Cross, either in person at the Persalvic School Complex in Victoria or by calling 709-729-0921.Article content