All of Newfoundland and Labrador now under fire ban
Forestry Minister Pleaman Forsey has stepped in to order a fire ban for all of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The ban is the result of elevated Fire Weather Index ratings and "extensive wildfire activity in Labrador," a press release from the provincial government stated on Wednesday.
The ban takes effect immediately and will be in place until at least July 17.
Regardless of the fire hazard risk rating in your area, all permits to burn grass, brush or other materials are cancelled. Fireworks and sky lanterns are banned.
No camp fires are allowed. No wood-fuelled fires are permitted in backyard areas.
"Gas or propane-fueled units such as barbecues may be used during a fire ban if operated safely. Use extra caution if there is anything flammable nearby," the province's statement reads.
Smoker units and other enclosed structures used for food preservation can be used.
All-terrain and motorized vehicle users are reminded vehicles must be fitted with a muffler and a screening or baffling device. The drivers also must be equipped with a fire extinguisher containing a minimum of 225 grams of ABC-class fire retardant.
Heat, dry conditions contributing to higher risk levels
The decision to institute a provincewide ban followed an earlier ban covering all of Labrador. That ban was going to be in effect until July 13, as air and ground crews responded to active wildfires throughout Labrador. Labradorians effectively are seeing an extension of that ban already in place.
Smoke is seen on the horizon near Labrador City in a photo taken on June 30, 2026. With nearly two dozen active wildfires in the province, all in Labrador, the province has enacted a fire ban. (Stephen Roberts/CBC)
On the island, environmental conditions have changed over the last 24 hours. Western Newfoundland is a mixture of "low" to "moderate" fire risk conditions, yet the rest of the province ranged from "high" to "extreme" risk as of the time of the government's call.
22 active wildfires
Newfoundland and Labrador has five water bomber aircraft and four have been working the higher-risk fires in Labrador, mainly being the fires around the Labrador West communities of Labrador City and Wabush.
There are currently 22 active wildfires in the province, all are in Labrador.
The latest move follows a historic 2025 fire season that saw extensive property damage, including forced evacuations and more than $70 million in insured property damage from the so-called Kingston fire in the Conception Bay North region in August, as the Insurance Bureau of Canada later noted. Public infrastructure losses included an elementary school in the area.
So far, the 2026 fire season has seen 99 wildfires, down from 152 reported at this point last year. However, roughly 37,800 hectares in total area is reported to have burned so far this year, compared to 2,700 at this time last year.
The number to report a wildfire is 1-866-709-FIRE (3473).
Thumbnail courtesy of Stephen Roberts/CBC.
The story was originally written by Ashley Fitzpatrick and published for CBC News.