Water bombers helped bring a forest fire in St. John’s under control this afternoon with no damage to any buildings. However, some placed experienced gridlock because of road closures.
Mount Scio Road was closed to allow crews some breathing room to fight back the flames this afternoon, but has since reopened.
Video of the fire burning behind the Health Science Centre from a distance. @590VOCM @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/NKT5jubDjS
— Gerri Lynn Mackey (@GerriLynnMackey) September 3, 2019
Several fires were burning in the hills north of the Health Sciences and south of Pippy Park, each being fanned by southerly winds around 50-60 km/h. Those southerly winds pushed the flames and smoke northward toward Mount Scio.
Platoon Chief Dean Foley with the SJRFD says BOTH fires near the Elaine Dobbin Centre and Mt Scio are under control but crews are still dealing with hot spots. @VOCMNEWS #nltraffic pic.twitter.com/Qz3WimG3P5
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy590) September 3, 2019
The Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism near the Health Sciences Centre was evacuated, and Rainbow Riders put evacuation contingencies in action just in case.
Mount Scio is a key link between east and west, not to mention points in between. That traffic has been displaced to other areas so expect some delays.
Foley says Mount Scio Road will remain closed until all of their units have cleared the scene, which could be a while.
Rainbow Riders has been evacuated as a precaution and all of the horses have been looked after.
The bomber is still making rounds.@VOCMNEWS #nltraffic pic.twitter.com/Hmahmy5qCP
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy590) September 3, 2019
The cause of the fire has been handed over to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for investigation.
