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Active: Wildfire in Paddy's Pond Area
Wildfire crews and the St. John's Regional Fire Department are responding to a wildfire at Thomas Pond, near Paddy’s Pond south, which is within the City of St. John’s jurisdiction. The fire is approximately 300 hectares.
A regional state of emergency has been declared by the Minister of Justice and Public Safety for parts of St. John's impacted by the fire, which includes Southlands and Galway. By declaring a regional state of emergency, the Provincial Government can coordinate the activities of all provincial and municipal services in the area and engage personnel as required.
The St. John's Regional Fire Department is providing ground support where necessary. While the fire is within the City boundary, it is also greatly impacting our regional neighbours in Paradise and CBS.
This page has been set up to share the latest information and resources on the following:
- Latest Update
- Evacuation Alerts & Orders
- Advisories and Road Closures
- Air Quality
- Impact to 2025 Canada Games
- Volunteers & Supports
- Emergency Preparedness Tips
- Accessibility Information
For the most up to date information on the wildfires, visit www.gov.nl.ca/alerts and follow the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on Facebook and on X.
The SJRFD services St. John's, Mount Pearl and Paradise. Residents in those areas should monitor the Mount Pearl and Paradise websites for updates, which are linked below:
Latest Update - August 15 - 12 p.m.
The Paddy’s Pond fire remains active with an estimated size of approximately 300 hectares. Bucketing will continue throughout the day, however there may be a delayed start to air response due to the low ceiling. Construction on a fire guard is complete and more work will continue today with help from the Canadian Armed Forces. There are 30 ground crew members working today to continue suppression efforts.
The St. John’s Regional Fire Department are not active in the area today, but are on standby should support be required.
Progress has been made, but this is still an active fire. The evacuation order for Three Island Pond has been lifted, however the order remains in place for the Paddy's Pond Industrial Area. More information on evacuation orders and alerts are below.
We are encouraged by the progress being made in the Paddy’s Pond area and grateful for the hard work of everyone involved in the response. At the same time, we are devastated to see the destruction caused by the Kingston Fire. Our thoughts are with the residents, property owners, and all those affected by the damage. Wildfires leave a lasting impact on both landscapes and lives, and we cannot imagine the trauma and hurt that is being experienced by communities in the area.
Further information will be provided as it becomes available. Please ensure you continue to monitor the advisories section below for information as well. Stay safe, stay informed, and monitor local updates for changes.
Evacuation Orders & Alerts
Follow the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the latest updates at gov.nl.ca/alerts.
Evacuation Order - Paddy's Pond Area
An evacuation order is in place for Paddy’s Pond Industrial Area, including Akita Equipment and surrounding buildings hangers, Cochrane Pond Family Campground, Country Ribbon Chicken Farm, Sod Farm and the Forestry Depot.
Evacuation Alert - Galway and Southlands Areas
An immediate precautionary evacuation alert has been issued by the City of St. John’s for the Galway and Southlands areas.
Please refer to the list of impacted streets and map linked below for a detailed breakdown of the impacted area:
If you are in these areas, please be ready to evacuate on very short notice.
Residents need to take steps to ensure their own personal safety. Be prepared for at least 72 hours, with a basic emergency kit, including items such as food, water, batteries, a portable radio, important documents and prescription medications.
Residents are advised to take a go bag with them if leaving their property and to make arrangements for pets and/or dependents in the event an evacuation order is issued. If an order is issued while you are away from your home and you have a pet or family member still at home, you will not be allowed back into the area. You should report the location of your loved ones to emergency personnel operating in the area so they can address accordingly.
In the case of an evacuation, the City would work with partnering agencies to facilitate transportation for those who do not own a vehicle or have mobility issues.
Other Evacuation Alerts
An evacuation alert is in place for portions of Paradise and CBS as follows:
- Town of Paradise: the area on the south side of Topsail Road from the Outer Ring Road exit to CBS boundary.
- Town of Conception Bay South: starting at Paradise Outer Ring Road turn-off, on to Route 60 through to Manuels River Bridge, up Peacekeeper’s Way to the cloverleaf on the Trans-Canada Highway and back to the Paradise Trans-Canada Highway turnoff.
Advisories & Road Closures
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The Trans-Canada Highway has reopened to traffic. Motorists are advised that should conditions change the roadway may be closed again at short notice. Paddy’s Pond Road, Northern Pond Road and the southern portion of Fowlers Road remain closed due to the evacuation order that is in place.
- Southland's Community Centre will remain closed until the Evacuation Alert in the area is lifted.
- Temporary Off-Road Vehicle Restriction in Effect: a province-wide restriction on off-road vehicle use in forested areas is now in effect across Newfoundland and Labrador. This measure is necessary to protect communities and ensure public safety. The restriction applies in areas where the Fire Weather Index is high, very high, or extreme, and will remain in place until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, 2025, when it will be reviewed. For full details, including definitions, maps, and updates are available in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's press release.
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Provincial Government Water Advisory: We have received some questions about water restrictions related to the fires announced by the Provincial Government. Residents in Paradise, Conception Bay South, Southlands, and Galway included in the present evacuation alert are not included in the advisory. Public drinking water systems in the City of St. John’s are not impacted. Questions related to Water Resources can be directed to water@gov.nl.ca.
Air Quality
As a result of the fire, there may be drifting smoke into St. John’s and surrounding areas, reducing air quality levels.
Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed and to turn off air exchangers and HVAC units to help reduce indoor smoke exposure. Please contact 811 or see a health-care provider if you experience any concerning symptoms related to smoke exposure such as a severe cough, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and/or wheezing.
Air quality warnings have been issued for St. John's and vicinity and residents are reminded to continue to monitor active air quality statements.
Impacts to the 2025 Canada Games
The Host Society and National Sport Organizations continue to assess the situation closely and update the sport schedule as needed. For all updates, download the free 2025 Canada Games app on the Apple App Store or Google Play or visit the news section of the 2025 Canada Games website.
We are pleased to share that Beach Volleyball at Paradise Park and Box Lacrosse at the Paradise Double Ice Complex are now open to spectators again.
Volunteers & Support
We greatly appreciate the offers of help from residents and community groups as crews work to manage the wildfire near Paddy’s Pond. At this time, volunteers and additional supplies are not required by the City. The best way to support the response is to follow official updates, avoid the area, and allow emergency crews to work safely and efficiently.
Should volunteers or support be required, this would be coordinated through partnering agencies. If you are looking for ways to provide support, please reach out to the Salvation Army and Canadian Red Cross.
The provincial government has set up a dedicated email for people to contact if they have resources that could be used to help with the wildfire response - forestfires2025@gov.nl.ca.
Emergency Preparedness
Residents are asked to take steps to ensure their own personal safety. Residents should always have a basic emergency kit available and be prepared for at least 72 hours, with food, water, batteries, a portable radio, important documents and prescription medications. Visit gov.nl.ca/beprepared for more information on emergency preparedness.
For individuals with disabilities, additional planning is important to ensure safety before, during, and after an emergency. The Government of Canada's Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs is a great resource to help with preparedness.
Property owners can also protect their homes, neighborhoods, and communities from the threat of wildland fire by creating defensible space around their properties, including:
- Maintaining a five-foot (1.5 metre) non-combustible zone immediately around your home.
- Cleaning out and screening gutters to prevent debris.
- Using fire-resistant roofing materials on homes.
- Cleaning underneath decks and enclosing them to prevent them from filling with debris.
- Placing firewood piles away from your home.
- Trimming grass and weeds.
- Using FireSmart-approved vegetation when landscaping.
Fire Smart also has great resources, including a Wildfire Evacuation Preparedness Check List.
Accessibility Information
For individuals with disabilities, additional planning is important to ensure safety before, during, and after an emergency. The Government of Canada's Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs is a great resource to help with preparedness. This resource has advice around:
- Service animal emergency kit
- Emergency kit checklist
- Emergency Tips for People with a Disability
- Assisting people with a disability/special needs – tips
- Checklist and personal assessment
- And various other Resources
We also encourage creating a personal support network. Ask three (3) people that you trust to help you in an emergency – if possible, one (1) person should be outside of your region in the event of a regional emergency. Share your emergency plan, emergency kit location and how to access to your home with them.
In the case of an evacuation, follow official instructions and connect with your support network. The City will work with partnering agencies to facilitate transportation for those who do not own a vehicle, have alternate arrangements or have mobility issues. Those who require assistance will be asked to contact Access St. John's by dialing 311 or 709-754-CITY (2489). Individuals who are Deaf, have hearing or speech impairments and are unable to make a voice call, should contact 911 to initiate Text 911 (T911). Please note you must be registered for T911. Learn more about Text with 911 - 911 Division.
Accommodations for those who have had to leave their homes is prioritized for seniors and persons with disabilities/special needs.
Other Helpful Resources:
- Autism Society of NL’s Social Story - Being Prepared for an Evacuation
- GoBus Accessible Transit – 709-368-8887
- Access - St Johns – dial 311 or 754 2489 (CITY)
- Bursey’s Bussing, CBS – 709-834-5510
Mental Health Support
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, need support, or are looking for health information, call 811.
If you are feeling anxious and alone, you can also call the Lifewise Provincial Warm Line at 1-855-753-2560 seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to midnight NDT, to speak with a trained peer support worker who is there and ready to listen.
You can also visit Bridge the Gapp to access age-appropriate programs and services that are available locally, confidential and free.
Fire Ban
A Provincial Fire Ban is in place until September 7, which means:
- No open fires permitted, including those with a permit
- No outdoor wood-burning appliances permitted
- Propane appliances and charcoal/propane BBQs are permitted only if the units are not used within 3.5 metres of any trees, brush or other flammable material. Coals used while barbecuing, or as part of any other burning unit, must be extinguished before being safely discarded.
- A province-wide restriction on off-road vehicle use in forested areas is now in effect across Newfoundland and Labrador. This measure is necessary to protect communities and ensure public safety. The restriction will remain in place until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, 2025, when it will be reviewed. For full details, including definitions, maps, and updates are available in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's press release.
If you witness unauthorized burning activity, please contact Access St. John’s by calling 311 or (709) 754-CITY (2489), email access@stjohns.ca or submit an inquiry online. If the fire you are reporting poses an immediate safety concern, call 911 immediately.
Residents are reminded to regularly check the Provincial Fire Hazard Map provided by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture and follow the associated guidelines to practice fire safety. Learn more about these guidelines on our Fire Prevention webpage.
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