Stella Reddy's Story

“There is so much power in believing that everything will work out.”

My heart is breaking for the People of Newfoundland & Labrador who are battling forest fires in their neighbourhood. So far, it has been the worst fire season here in this Province, and many people have lost everything to the flames. I truly know how that feels, which is not good.

Having to start over due to a natural disaster isn’t easy, but I have faith in the people of this Province. We’ve survived many natural disasters before!

This summer has tested us in ways I never imagined. The wildfires sweeping across Newfoundland and Labrador have left a haze not just in the skies, but in our hearts. From Conception Bay North to Paddy’s Pond, the smoke has crept into our homes, our routines, and our sense of safety.

While I am far from the flames, with the wind blowing towards St. John’s, I watched from my window as the sky turned a muted grey, the scent of burning brush clinging to the breeze for the past couple of days. With my sensitive nose, I pick up the burning smell pretty quickly.

It’s surreal, seeing familiar places cloaked in uncertainty. Over 20,000 people have been placed under evacuation alerts, and the fear is real. Just this morning, they evacuated everyone from the area of Three Island Pond Area of Paradise. But there is the strength of this community.

Neighbours are checking in on each other. Volunteers are showing up with supplies. Even the Canadian Armed Forces and crews from other provinces have joined the fight. It reminds me that even in chaos, kindness finds a way.

I’ve learned through my own journey that healing often begins in the hardest moments. So I’m holding space for gratitude today, for the firefighters, for the helpers, and for the quiet resilience of every person who’s packing a bag just in case. I have no doubt Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will make it through this.

Stay safe, stay grounded, and remember: even when the world feels like it’s burning, there’s still hope in the ashes.