Perfect Storm Fuelling Lab West Fire; Provincial Fire Ban Reinstated

Premier Andrew Furey says a combination of dryness, heat, humidity and northwest winds are frustrating efforts to contain an out-of-control wildfire near Labrador City.

While the winds are light, they continue to push the flames in the direction of the town, although those same winds are sparing the nearby Town of Wabush, which remains under an evacuation alert, for now.

As well, a provincial fire ban has been reinstated until the situation in Labrador West is stablized.

In a virtual news conference held over the lunch hour today, Furey described how the fire went from controlled and almost out earlier this week, to a raging threat within hours on Friday.

“The combination of wind and humidex and temperature allowed for this fire to move from what was a 600-hectare, fairly controlled fire, to an over 10,000-hectare fire, moving 21 kilometres in just four hours,” he said. “So, an extremely aggressive inferno just outside Labrador City, and led to a very quickiy and rapidly changing situation for the residents.”

Premier Andrew Furey with Labrador Affairs Minister Lisa Dempster and Lake Melville MHA Perry Trimper during a virtual news conference from Happy Valley-Goose Bay this afternoon. (Meta/FB)

As of this morning, the fire was about six kilometres west of the town but only one kilometre away from the landfill.

Some 9,600 people have been forced to pack up and leave on short notice, embarking on the six-hour drive to Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Some also availed of services in Churchill Falls for gas and other supplies.

It’s the third time that Goose Bay has taken in evacuees from forest fires this season, with the town’s arena, college, YMCA and 5 Wing base set up as temporary shelters. Officials are also planning to activate the Muskrat Falls campsite, if necessary.

Several dozen patients were also evacuated from the hospital in Labrador City by road and air ambulance.

As well, an additional ferry crossing from Blanc Sablon to Newfoundland is being scheduled to accommodate any extra flow of passengers as a result of the evacuation.

Just over 100 people remain in Labrador City, including officials with the town, IOC, RNC and other support staff.

Officials noted the situation can change on very short notice, advising residents and others affected to stay tuned to government advisories and media reports.

Three NL waterbombers are ready to attack the fire when conditions are safe, with a fourth on standby in Goose Bay.

Resources from New Brunswick and Quebec, as well as the federal government, have also been solicited.