Provincial officials provide wildfire update

Premier John Hogan, Minister John Haggie, Minister Lisa Dempster, and departmental officials provided an update on the wildfires impacting the province this morning.

Hogan said that the fines for starting fires are too low and is looking to increase the fines for having a fire when there is a ban in place.

There are three fires right now.

The Adam's Cove fire is 1432 ha in size. It has doubled in size since yesterday, but has grown inland away from the community. There are no reports of further loss today. The southern flank of the fire is in good shape. Favourable conditions are expected today. The fire will be tackled with three bombers, three helicopters and ground crews.

The Holyrood fire has had marginal growth overnight, but it did not manage to jump the highway. One helicopter and ground crews will fight that fire today.

The Bay d'Espoir fire is 2.8 kilometres from the highway and 20 kilometres from Grand Falls-Windsor. There are favourable conditions today. Thick smoke will be present as one bomber and helicopters, along with assets from New Brunswick.

Hogan added that there are over 800 fires across Canada, so assets are limited.