Volunteer crews recount August’s Kingston wildfire and urge Newfoundland and Labrador to prepare for future fire disasters.
A Fire Like Nothing Seen Before
This August, a massive wildfire swept across Kingston and communities along Conception Bay North, scorching over 10,000 hectares and levelling more than 200 buildings. Volunteer firefighters say the blaze moved with terrifying speed, generating its own winds and hurling flaming debris more than 15 metres ahead of its path.
“It was a big monster fire,” said Bay Roberts firefighter Adam Russell. “It surrounded you — not just in front but a kilometre around.”
Battling Intense Heat and Unpredictable Winds
Thirteen volunteer fire departments were among the first on scene, cutting trees for fire breaks and soaking homes to slow the flames. But towering walls of fire forced repeated retreats.
“We stayed as long as we could,” Russell said. “Some firefighters knew their own houses were burning but stayed to protect someone else’s.”
Landmarks and Homes Lost Forever
For Bay Roberts fire chief Michael Murphy, the devastation hit close to home. A school in Western Bay — where his father had served as principal for two decades — was among the many structures destroyed.
“Seeing it gone was heartbreaking,” Murphy said, adding that many homes lost were over a century old, their history now irretrievable.
Dispelling Rumours of Abandoned Homes
Social media claims that crews left some properties to save others are false, Russell stressed. “We didn’t choose between houses. We saved what we could reach. Sometimes the fire took back what we’d just saved when the wind shifted.”
Preparing for the Next Big Blaze
Firefighters and local leaders say the province must adapt to increasingly severe wildfire risks. Bay Roberts Mayor Geoffrey Seymour is calling for proactive measures, such as constructing fire breaks before emergencies strike.
“We saw an incredible response during those three weeks,” Seymour said. “Now we need a coordinated strategy so we’re ready before the next one.”
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