Evacuation order, state of emergency ends in C.B.N. communities

The Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government has lifted both an evacuation order and a state of emergency in parts of Conception Bay North. 

In a press release sent Friday afternoon, the Department of Public Safety said residents of both Small Point–Adam's Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove and Western Bay, who had fled a raging wildfire, could return to their properties. 

Pauline White is among them. Her home still stands and she said she's eager to return.

"It's been so upsetting just to be out of our own environment," White, a resident of Adam's Cove, told CBC News on Friday. "And to know that we can go back and have a home to go back to, we're so grateful."

However, she knows not everyone can do the same.

"I've never seen anything like it. The fires are so hot that there's no structure left. It's just ashes and metal," she said.

Route 70 through Adam's Cove is still closed to non-residents, and the department is asking non-residents to stay away from the area. 

The area had been under a state of emergency since Wednesday night. More than 45 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, the provincial government said on Thursday, including at least 12 homes.

Firefighting crews pushed the fire back on Thursday, and it's now under control — but the town's mayor warns rebuilding will take some time as a damage assessment gets underway.

"There's going to be a lot of cleanup. There's a lot of assessment that needs to be done in the area and that'll be the priority now in the upcoming days," Mayor Curtis Delaney told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show.

Earlier Friday, the mayor said hot spots are being monitored over the next few days.

"Before anyone goes back into that area, it has to be a safe situation," said Delaney.

The Department of Public Safety is asking residents to be careful as they return,"and to follow guidance provided by local emergency responders services, as there may be hazards in the area."

Newfoundland Power, which had shut off power to the area on Wednesday, was on the scene on Thursday for an assessment.

"You can imagine there's a bit of infrastructure damage on their end," Delaney said.

The cause of the fire isn't yet known and the investigation will likely start soon, the mayor said.

"We can't do anything to bring back some of the structures that have been lost," he said. "But you know, we'll work with them and with different levels of government and see what assistance and what resources that we can provide as a town and as a province."

Resources for people evacuated

There are still resources in place to help those who have been affected by the fire, says Delaney, including the Small Point Community Centre. The Red Cross and Salvation Army have been offering help since Thursday. The school in Western Bay is also acting as a reception area.

"We've actually had an outpouring of support, you know, not only just from the local area, but from outside," Delaney said.

"It's just amazing how the area has come together."

Residents have been leading the support effort for days. 

Robin Dwyer, her husband Scott Chandler and their seven-year-old son, Rhys, have been part of the coordination effort and making sure others were OK.

"It's devastating to see in such a small community just that magnitude of loss," Dwyer said.

"If our house goes, we can rebuild," Chandler added. 

"You know, it's community that's what makes us, right? It makes us strong."

Delaney says he's thankful to the emergency responders and the work of the countless volunteers who stepped up to help with food and shelter.

Sue Rose, a town councillor in Small Point–Adam's Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove said the community has received so many donations that they had to instruct people to hit pause, for now, as pantries and freezers are filled.

"When families get back into homes and assess what their needs will be, most of this probably will be distributed. And we want to ensure that every family on this shore has access to what they need," Rose said.

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