Be vigilant, Lab West residents told as forest fire burns nearby
With 13 fires currently burning across Labrador, residents of Wabush and Labrador City are being told to be on guard, though the Newfoundland and Labrador government say there is no immediate threat to the mining towns.
The warning comes a week after residents of Churchill Falls were permitted to return to the community after a two-week evacuation order was lifted.
According to Newfoundland and Labrador's wildfire dashboard, there were 13 active fires in Labrador on Friday morning.
The Lac Hugette West fire, close to Labrador City and Wabush, is listed as out of control.
"Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and to monitor local media and news reports as conditions could change," said a statement from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture spokesperson Linda Skinner.
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In the past week, lightning strikes have created more fires.
"When conditions are dry in the forest and you get lightning moving through the areas, it's really easy for the forest to be ignited by Mother Nature," said provincial forest fire duty officer Jeff Motty in a previous interview with CBC News.
According to the wildfire dashboard, the Mount Hyde Lake fire — which has been threatening Churchill Falls for weeks — is still under control.
There is an out of control fire, called Lower Brook, near Happy Valley-Goose Bay that the government says is being closely monitored.
"Smoke from the fire is anticipated to be visible throughout the day and may impact air quality and travel west of the community," says the statement.
This article, written by Elizabeth Whitten, was originally published for CBC News.