Public Advisory: Hydro Monitoring Paddy’s Pond fire for potential power impacts in metro area
August 15, 2025
August 15 | 2:05 p.m. As we move into the weekend, we wanted to assure customers that our teams continue to monitor the fires across the province and are working hard, not only to keep power flowing to our customers, but also to support the efforts of the Province in their response.
In Paddy’s Pond, all three transmission lines remain in service delivering electricity to customers in the Metro region. As the Premier shared earlier, this is still an active fire and we encourage all customers to be prepared in the event that these, or other lines or electricity equipment are impacted. If we do experience an interruption, we are at the ready to respond with Newfoundland Power.
We would also like to once again express our gratitude to all the firefighters, volunteers, and emergency responders working tirelessly to protect our communities.
Please stay safe this weekend.
August 13 | 12:25 p.m. We would like correct misinformation regarding a social media post which includes a photo of an insulator on the ground, and which is falsely being connected to the Paddy’s Pond Fire. For reference, an insulator is a piece of equipment supporting transmission of electricity made of tempered, strong, heat resistant glass.
Last Thursday, August 8, a resident reached out to us about an insulator they discovered lying on the ground under our right of way in the Thomas Pond area. This person provided an image of the debris and was very helpful in providing the coordinates to guide our team to the location of the debris. Our team responded immediately and removed the insulator debris from the site and properly disposed of it that same day. Please be assured, Hydro does not dispose of insulators, or any damaged equipment in this manner.
Further, Hydro conducts aerial and ground line monitoring as part of routine maintenance activities, as well as following a weather event. Any identified debris is noted and arrangement’s made for its removal. We appreciate and encourage Individuals to notify us of debris, and we ask that they reach out to us for assistance.
Safety is our top priority, always. We are extremely proud of our teams across the organization who day to day are committed to delivery of safe reliable electricity. We currently have crews working alongside forestry resources, in the Energy Control Centre, and behind the scenes together with the Province, diligently and tirelessly, to keep people safe. We are grateful for their amazing focus and dedication to the people of this province. On their behalf we appreciate the many words of support received.
August 12 | 6:00 p.m. This afternoon, a transmission line serving the St. John’s metro area tripped due to the ongoing fire near Paddy’s Pond. This is the same wooden-pole transmission line affected yesterday, which runs between Holyrood and Oxen Pond. It’s now back in service, but intermittent outages on this line may continue to occur due to smoke and fire suppression efforts. At this time, we do not anticipate this will cause customer outages.
Two additional steel-tower transmission lines in the area remain fully operational and are meeting current electricity demand. We’re closely monitoring the situation as the fire evolves.
We encourage all customers to be prepared in the event that other lines or electricity equipment are impacted. Remember to keep devices charged so you can stay informed.
The safety of our employees, residents and community remains our top priority. We’re incredibly grateful to all firefighters, volunteers, and emergency responders working tirelessly to protect our communities.
Please stay safe and make sure you’re prepared. Stay safe everyone.
August 12 | 10:20AM The fire remains in close proximity to our transmission lines and we continue to monitor closely with our partners in the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre.
While all three of our lines in the fire area are online and serving customers, it’s always a good idea to be prepared in the event that power lines or equipment are impacted by the fire.
If we do experience an interruption, we are at the ready to respond with Newfoundland Power.
Stay safe everyone.
August 11 | 10:00 p.m. In coordination with provincial emergency officials, this evening we safely completed a helicopter patrol of our transmission lines near Paddy’s Pond. There was no visible damage on our transmission lines. As a result the transmission line that tripped earlier today is now back in service.
We continue to monitor the situation closely, as smoke, fire and suppression efforts remain a risk to our equipment and could cause outages for customers.
Please stay safe. Ensure you always follow the latest guidance from officials and follow us on social media for regular updates.
August 11 | 8:15 p.m. We continue to monitor our system closely and we are still supplying customers in the metro area with the two lines which remain in service.
We are so appreciative of the hardworking teams coming together, especially those on the ground fighting these fires and supporting our communities.
We will continue to provide updates throughout the evening as things continue to develop.
August 11 | 5:30 p.m. The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre has advised this fire is moving away from our transmission lines but smoke and fire suppression activities remain active in the area which can still have the potential to affect these lines. While, as a result of this fire, we did experience a trip on one of the three transmission lines, there was no impact for customers and we continue to serve customers with the two transmission lines which remain in service. Our teams will continue to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre.
We are also communicating with Newfoundland Power and will work closely with them should any customers be impacted by a potential outage.
August 11 | 2:30 p.m. Our teams are monitoring a new fire that has developed near Paddy’s Pond, which is directly in our transmission corridor. These transmission lines serve the greater St. John’s area and, at this time, there is a potential for smoke, fire and/or fire suppression efforts to impact these lines. In the unlikely scenario that multiple lines are impacted, this could result in a power outage to St. John’s and surrounding areas. We are working very closely with our Provincial Emergency Operation Centre to coordinate response and will keep you informed.
Updates will continue to be posted here.