Via Derrick Bragg on Facebook
Three of the four fires burning in central Newfoundland right now are still out of control.
One of the fires, a small one covering 58 square km, is considered contained and officials are monitoring it to determine whether it can be declared out.
The largest fire, at Paradise Lake, increased in size again last night by about 7,000 hectares, covering 172 square km.
Fire Duty officer Jeff Motty says the 18.5 mm of rain experienced in the region last night was a help, but conditions are so dry, far more rain is needed.
He says the rivers, bogs and trees are so dry and stressed, they need a lot more rain to help knock the fire down. In the meantime, they’re hoping to get some water bombers in to start safely tackling the edges of the fire, and get some ground crews in the area.
Fire break construction continues north of the Paradise Lake fire.
The fire break, which is 80 metres wide in most areas and 90 metres wide in others, will be a “good thing for long-term forest protection” according to Motty.
(Via Derrick Bragg on Facebook.)
Conditions in Grand Falls-Windsor over the last dew days have been favourable, with winds blowing smoke from the fires away from the community. However, the mayor in stressing that the threat from the fires is real and people should be ready to leave at moment’s notice.
Barry Manuel stresses that while they haven’t been getting as much smoke there is still an out of control fire burning 25 km away from the town.
As well, he states that the winds are expected to change to southerly tomorrow, meaning they will once again be blowing towards the town.
Manuel says he wants to make sure that people are prepared to leave if it comes to that.
He says a shelter has been set up at the Deer Lake arena for people without a place to go, and buses are leaving the town at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily for people without transportation.
Manuel says people, especially those who are most vulnerable, need to be taking the situation seriously because things could change in an instant.
He says people need to put their emergency plans into action now, because the situation would be bad if things take a turn and people aren’t prepared.
