Officials in central Labrador are closely monitoring a wildfire threatening the evacuated town of Churchill Falls. While the fire remained stable on Saturday, there was no significant rainfall expected until Tuesday night, leaving the 500 residents who were ordered to leave the community on Wednesday uncertain about when they could return. The province’s forest fire duty officer, Mark Lawlor, stated that there was no estimate for the time of return and municipal officials in Churchill Falls were preparing residents for a possible long-term evacuation. They were advising residents to register with the municipality while staying in temporary accommodations in nearby towns as the fire continued to be just six kilometers away.
Lawlor reported that a section of the Mount Hyde Lake fire flared up on Friday afternoon, but was quickly brought under control by water bombers. Despite stable conditions at the moment, there was concern about the weather forecast predicting gusts of up to 40 kilometers per hour, which could increase the risk of spreading flames. However, there was a potential for thunderstorms to aid firefighters in their task, though it was uncertain when and where they would occur. Overcast skies and cool temperatures were helping to keep fire behavior down, but there was still a possibility of extreme fire behavior over the next few days due to sun and clouds with daytime temperatures ranging from 19 C to 25 C.
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, the utility operating the Churchill Falls hydroelectric generating station, stated that the fire was still burning on the south side of the Churchill River, separating it from the town. Plant operations remained unaffected and were not at immediate risk, with fire suppression efforts keeping the fire from growing. Eight amphibious waterbombers were deployed to attack the 15-square-kilometer fire, with support from aircraft from Quebec and Ontario. Premier Andrew Furey expressed gratitude to first responders for their efforts in battling the wildfire, acknowledging their effective work in managing the situation.
While the wildfire continued to pose a threat to Churchill Falls, efforts were being made to ensure the safety of residents and the hydroelectric generating station. Officials were closely monitoring the situation, with contingency plans in place for the potential impact of the fire on power lines. The evacuation order remained in effect as the community waited for updates on when it would be safe to return. The support and efforts of first responders and firefighting crews were crucial in containing the fire and preventing further escalation. The unpredictability of weather conditions added to the challenges of managing the wildfire, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and preparedness.
