Fire suppression efforts working against Churchill Falls, N.L., wildfires

Firefighting efforts against wildfires threatening Churchill Falls in central Labrador are working, say provincial officials.

Forest fire duty officer Mark Lawlor said that as of Sunday a fire 17 kilometres from Churchill Falls is considered as being held, while a closer fire, seven kilometres from the town, has grown, but in the opposite direction. 

Lawlor said two of the water bombers sent from Quebec to help in the fight had returned to their home province to tackle fires there.

For the time being, the town, which was evacuated last week, is safe, Lawlor said, but that could change.

“That fire is still out of control,” he said. “Given the right conditions, that fire could get up and really get going again.”

Big land with ‘a bigger heart’

At a news conference in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Sunday, Premier Andrew Furey said in a news conference said the fire has still not crossed the Churchill River and crews are taking advantage of the reprieve.

“We have also taken extra measures and are now creating a fire break around the community,” said Furey.

“That involves the use of heavy equipment to remove some trees and vegetation to eliminate potential fuel source if the fire does cross the river.”

That fire break is 60 metres wide and eight to 10 kilometres long, so it will take days to complete.

Furey also thanked crews battling the fires and those who have stepped in to help the displaced residents of Churchill Falls in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, where about 100 of the initial 750 evacuees still remain.

“[I’m] incredibly grateful for the people of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and in Labrador in general. It’s a big land, but it has a bigger heart, and it’s on full display here in the last few days,” he said.

WATCH | Wildfire near Churchill Falls still burns out of control: 

Fire crews near Churchill Falls, N.L., have made some gains against the wildfire that forced the evacuation of the community, leaving many evacuees seeking comfort while waiting to return home.

Minimal staff have remained behind in Churchill Falls to maintain the massive hydroelectric plant, which supplies energy to both Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro CEO Jennifer Williams says even with a skeleton crew, she’s confident they can outlast the fire.

“We do have people that we can switch out. We wouldn’t want to do this for years, obviously. But we can outlast this fire, and we will do what we need to make sure the plant remains safe to operate as well.”

Fire ban still on

As the fire could still change direction, no timeline has been set for a return to Churchill Falls.

Furey said the province has put charter flights in place to take evacuees to Newfoundland, where many have family. 

But he reiterated to people across the province who might want to help out that the best way to do so is to obey the provincial ban on open fires, which took effect Thursday. 

“We really can’t spare any resources right now. And that is a way that you can help the people of Churchill Falls,” he said. 

“That’s something that you can do at home. Just respect the fire ban as it is in place. It’s in place for a reason.”

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