Officials in central Labrador are closely monitoring the wildfire that is threatening the town of Churchill Falls. The fire, which started on June 13, had grown rapidly prompting the evacuation of 500 residents. While the fire remained stable on Saturday, there was no significant rain forecasted until Tuesday night, leaving residents uncertain about when they would be able to return home. The town’s website advised residents to prepare for possible long-term solutions as the timeframe for the evacuation order was unknown.
As part of the preparation, officials in Churchill Falls were compiling a list of displaced residents staying in nearby towns such as Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador City, and Wabush. The town required one member of each displaced family to register with the municipality to receive further updates about the fire, which was only six kilometers away from Churchill Falls. While there was concern about potential flare-ups, Lawlor mentioned that the Mount Hyde Lake fire had been brought under control after a section of it exhibited tree candling and ground fire on Friday afternoon.
Despite the stable conditions, the weather forecast predicted gusts of up to 40 kilometers per hour on Saturday evening, increasing the risk of the fire spreading. However, Environment Canada also predicted thunderstorms moving into the area overnight, which could aid firefighters and waterbombers in their efforts. The town was advised to expect a mix of sun and clouds in the next three days, with daytime temperatures ranging between 19 C and 25 C, potentially leading to extreme fire behavior.
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro confirmed that the fire was burning on the south side of the Churchill River, posing a threat to the community. However, the hydroelectric generating station was operating as usual, and plant operations were not immediately at risk. Fire suppression efforts, including the use of eight amphibious waterbombers, had been effective in preventing the fire from growing. Premier Andrew Furey thanked all first responders for their efforts in battling the wildfire near Churchill Falls and other areas in the province.
While the generating station continued to operate, there were concerns that smoke from the fire could affect insulators on the power lines, potentially causing power outages. Despite the challenges posed by the fire, officials and first responders were actively working to contain the situation and keep the community safe. The uncertainty surrounding the timeframe for residents to return to Churchill Falls emphasized the need for preparedness and the importance of ongoing communication between officials and displaced residents.
