As more than 20 fires are burning across the Big Land, Newfoundland and Labrador’s forestry minister says firefighting efforts are focused on the ones that are specifically threatening communities.
Pleaman Forsey, who also overseas the portfolio of emergency preparedness and disaster management, said over the weekend suppression efforts continued.
“[Sunday] they were working with some ground crews and helicopters. So they’re doing all their best to keep those fires under control and … trying to get the suppression down,” he told Labrador Morning on Monday.
A state of emergency for Labrador City is still in place.
Forsey said flare ups at the Walsh Fire — located 12 km from Labrador City and 14 km from Wabush — can be expected due to humidity and warm temperatures.
On Friday, 20 firefighters from Nova Scotia arrived in the province to help, joining the 37 from N.L.
“It’s wonderful,” Forsey said of the additional forces.
Forsey said there are currently 25 active fires and they’re focusing on wildfires like the Walsh and De Mille fires because of their proximity to communities.
“We take priority to communities first and we monitor all the fires in the area,” he said, “We try to get the most of the assets on the fires that are causing danger to communities.”
Assets will be moved as needed, he added.
According to the provincial wildfire dashboard, the De Mille Lake fire is being held.
Evacuation orders are still in effect for the area of Walsh River. Evacuation alerts remain for Duley Lake, Throne Lake and the area of the Tamarack Golf Course.
A fire ban remains in effect for Labrador.
Forsey said the department will be watching the situation for the next couple of days, adding temperatures are expected to rise. He said residents can expect to see crews working and there will be water bombers in the air.
Forsey, who arrived in Labrador West Sunday, said he plans to meet with the fire departments in Labrador City and Wabash Monday.
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