Cabin owners had a close call with flames, thankful for aerial firefighting support for saving their “happy place” as fire spreadsPublished Aug 14, 20254 minute readSmoke from the Martin’s Lake fire is heavy over the water near Grand Falls-Windsor. ContributedArticle contentThe Martin Lake wildfire has reached 2,160 hectares in size and is now just 16 kilometres south from Grand Falls-Windsor, which houses a population of around 15,000.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 contentTo put the size of the fire in perspective, one hectare is two-and-a-half times the size of an average football field. That means this fire is around the size of 5,400 football fields.Article contentArticle contentFor now, residents are safe, as the fire has not crossed over the Route 360 highway, which remained closed Thursday, Aug. 14, but many people are worried about what could happen.Article contentArticle contentBoth Premier John Hogan and Grand Falls-Windsor Buchans MHA Chris Tibbs are optimistic about the situation, citing better-than-expected weather today, which will make it easier for the three helicopters, 802 water bombers, and a bird dog airplane to do their job effectively.Article contentAdditionally, 10 to 20 millimetres of rain tomorrow is anticipated, and a 100-metre-wide, 11-km-long firebreak was already in place due to the 2022 fires in the area.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentWhat are firebreaks?Article contentFirebreaks are a means of manipulating the environment to slow down the spread of wildfire.Article contentWhile not very effective when used alone, Tibbs — himself a former firefighter — is confident the layered approach the government and firefighters are taking puts them in a strong position to keep the wildfire contained.Article contentTibbs also feels Grand Falls-Windsor is in a better position than most to defend itself against the fire, given the 2022 incidents, and even expects other parts of the island are looking at the community as an example.Article content PC MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans, Chris Tibbs. Photo by Contributed /ContributedArticle contentStill, he acknowledges the unpredictability of the situation, and urges residents to take precautions by putting together an emergency kit containing important documents, medications, pet supplies, pharmaceutical supplies, and so on, and be ready to survive for as long as a week at a moment’s notice, while also being aware they may not be able to return.Article content“It’s very important that people have a list together. Make sure your vehicles are filled up with gas,” he said. “We don’t need a lineup of 100 people trying to get out of Grand Falls-Windsor if an evacuation order comes down.”Article contentRoute 360 remains closedArticle contentGiven the wildfire’s proximity to Route 360 — it’s just 140 miles away — the highway is expected to remain closed for at least another day.Article contentTibbs acknowledges the burden this places on residents who might be seeking medical attention, travelling for work or need to pick up food, but stresses how vital this measure is as the government continues to keep the matter under control.Article contentArticle contentNevertheless, he’s in contact with the Department of Health to ensure those with respiratory issues, seniors, and other vulnerable residents are taken care of.Article content“We’re going to make sure that on smokey days like this, that they have an avenue of escape or an avenue to get some help if they need it,” he told The Telegram.Article contentTibbs isn’t planning on helping the locals just from an office, either.Article content“If this fire continues to move closer to Grand Falls-Windsor (…), I will then get involved with on-the-ground operations there as well, just like I did in Badger,” he said. “If the time comes for Grand Falls-Windsor, I’ll be on the ground with the (fire department here) as well.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentNear miss for cabin ownersArticle contentZack Martin and his fiancée Jessica Green own a cabin in the area they call their “happy place”, and spend more time in it than at home. The couple suffered a close call Wednesday, Aug. 13, when the wildfire took a sudden turn around 4:31 p.m.Article contentThat’s right around the time that the province issued an expanded evacuation alert for the Martin Lake fire to include cabins in the Paradise Lake area. All cabin owners in the area were advised to leave immediately due to the wildfire.Article content“We went from being a kilometre away from the wildfire and feeling for the cabin owners that were close to the fire to a quick turn in the wind and the fire is at our door,” wrote Green in a Facebook post.Article content“The first reaction of it was just devastation, helplessness, frustration, and sadness,” said Martin. “Just no words to truly describe it. Your happy place is gone. It’s gonna be gone.”Article content Jessica Green shared a photo of a cabin she owns that’s in the Martin Lake fire area. She’s grateful that their property was spared after seeing flames approaching the property via a camera.Article contentPhotographs provided by the pair show a blazing wildfire right next to their cabin.Article contentFortunately, water bombers dealt with the situation promptly; photo timestamps show it was within minutes.Article content“All of a sudden, it was out. (There was) smoke, and it was out. The bombers must have hit it hard, because they put that out in a hurry,” Martin said.Article contentBoth Martin and Green are thankful for the quick actions of the aerial firefighting efforts.Article content“We are so grateful for the first responders who work tirelessly to keep us safe,” wrote Green. “Your service is invaluable. Your quick response and professionalism are deeply appreciated.”Article contentMartin echoed his partner’s sentiments and told the Telegram, “All the men and women in the air and on the ground, they’re truly heroes.”Article contentSean Ridgeley is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter.Article content
Grand Falls-Windsor safe from Martin Lake wildfire for now, government urges precaution
