It was a year ago this month that a fast-moving forest fire enveloped the Adam’s Cove area in Conception Bay North.
Little did residents of the north shore of Conception Bay know at the time that it would be a harbinger of even darker days to come.
The final – and most devastating by far – round came in August when over 200 structures were destroyed as the wildfire which started in Kingston swept across, consuming some things instantly and leaving others, mysteriously, untouched.
Robyn Dwyer, one of those whose life was turned upside down, is convinced that the fires were the work of an arsonist, though nobody has yet been charged by police.
Dwyer says a year later and residents remain on edge.
“We had 12 fires last year and that could potentially repeat itself,” she said on Your VOCM Mornings on Friday. “Everyone likes nice weather in the spring and the summer but that just brings added anxiety.”
Forestry Minister Pleaman Forsey says they have taken several steps to improve firefighting preparedness including having the fifth water bomber in circulation and more money for things such as equipment and training.
“We also put in $7-million into emergency services, and $4.16-million of that was for tools and equipment for volunteer fire departments, which is up $400,000 from last year. We want safer communities – that’s what we ran on and that’s what we’re working toward,” said Minister Forsey.
