Government providing more emergency funding for wildfire evacuees

The Kingston Fire is 10,095 ha in size. Rain yesterday helped with suppression efforts. Air support was not available yesterday due to the weather.

The provincial government has announced new support for residents and businesses affected by the evacuations.

Effective today, an additional $500 payment will be provided to each household ordered to evacuate for more than 14 days from their primary residence in the Conception Bay North area, by the province or municipality due to a wildfire in 2025.

There will be additional temporary housing assistance. This assistance is available to households whose primary residence of the Conception Bay North region is uninhabitable and uninsured. This assistance will be reevaluated in three months.

• $1,000 per household, per month, to those who can reside in private accommodations with family, friends, or community members.

• Up to $1,500 per household, per month, to assist with the cost of rental accommodations. Individuals must provide receipts to confirm rental accommodations.

• Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will assist households to find accommodations at licensed hospitality establishments, like hotels, if they are unable to secure either private or rental options. Eligible households must register and confirm their information by contacting 1-855-724-3391.

An Employment Response Team is being set-up to support impacted workers and businesses and undertake job matching activities. This will be located at the Carbonear Employment Centre at 17 Industrial Crescent in Carbonear.

There will also be a one-time Evacuation Business Stipend to support eligible businesses. Financial support will be structured based on the number of employees:

• $1,500 for businesses with two to nine employees.

• $2,500 for businesses with 10 to 99 employees.

Employers operating in Conception Bay North or who have employees who live in the region will be eligible to receive up to 42 weeks of wage subsidy. This is an increase from the 28 subsidized weeks.

Employers may be approved to hire more than one impacted individual at a time.

Employers may fill existing vacant positions with an impacted individual.

Meeting spaces will also be open and available at Employment Centres for impacted businesses.

The Work Supports Program allocation is being increased from $1,000 per person to $2,000 per person. This increase will help support the replacement of work tools, equipment and attire, and other eligible costs associated with returning to or maintaining employment. The program is now extended to include self-employed individuals seeking to restart their operations. 

The Martin Lake Fire is 1,633 ha and is classified as under control. There are 10 ground crew on-site.

This Paddy’s Pond Fire is out.