Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.
The provincial government has awarded a pair of contracts to build firebreaks in areas of the Avalon Peninsula ravaged by this summer’s historic wildfire season — fires that forced hundreds of people from their homes and destroyed more than 200 structures.
A firebreak is an intentionally created gap where burnable material, like vegetation and trees, are cleared in an effort to stop a fire from spreading further by removing flammable materials that could feed it.
It was employed as a firefighting tactic against the Kingston, Martin Lake and Paddy’s Pond fires.
According to a list of recently disclosed provincial government procurement contracts, Conception Bay South-based Platinum Construction Company Limited was awarded a $51,600 contract. Another contract, valued at $419,983.35, was awarded to Jerseyside-based Tier 1 Capital Corporation to build firebreaks in Burnt Point and Salmon Cove.
Both contracts were awarded shortly after the PC party won a majority government on Oct. 14.
Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune MHA and Liberal forestry critic Elvis Loveless — who is also a former minister of fisheries, forestry and agriculture — said the previous Liberal government issued two tenders for firebreaks for C.B.S. and the areas around Burnt Point and Salmon Cove while in office.
“We certainly recognize that when we were in government that, you know, we all have to act now because it is the new norm,” Loveless told CBC News.
He said the call for firebreaks came from the public and fire departments.
MHA and Liberal forestry critic Elvis Loveless says all levels of government need to work together, (Colleen Connors/CBC)
Loveless said it’s going to take all levels of government working together to be prepared for future wildfires.
Loveless said he’d like to see the PCs ensure there’s money available to help communities and invest in emergency preparedness, including the Atlantic Wildfire Centre and equipping firefighters properly.
“Because we know in those smaller communities, the challenge that lies with them having the proper resources. And they need to connect with the federal government,” said Loveless.
During the campaign, now-Premier Tony Wakeham said he would invest in the province’s firefighting capabilities, including ensuring firefighters and search and rescue teams have the gear they need to respond to emergencies.
Exploits MHA Pleaman Forsey was recently named to Premier Tony Wakeham’s cabinet as the forestry minister. (Ariana Kelland/CBC)
CBC News asked for an interview with Forestry Minister Pleaman Forsey, but the department’s communications director, Victoria Barbour, responded with an email instead.
She said the provincial government is focused on helping Newfoundlanders and Labradorians “live in safe communities.”
Nine companies were hired to help construct firebreaks in 2025 for a total of $701, 474.95, she said.
“Firebreaks are also in place in areas that have experienced recent significant wildfire activity including Labrador City, Wabush, Churchill Falls, North West River, Grand Falls-Windsor and Sheshatshiu,” Barbour wrote.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
