That fire in central Newfoundland yesterday came close to wiping out some homes. But area residents credit the quick work of firefighters for preventing disaster.
Mayor Bryan King says firefighters were quick to respond to the Kinsmen Drive / Centennial Drive area and in short order managed to knock down the blaze, burning close to homes and private property.
Jerome Byrne, who lives on Centennial Drive, says residents were out hosing down their houses to prevent damage from the forest fire which was only about 50 or 60 feet away.
Byrne says local volunteer firefighters and two water bombers from Gander were very quick on the scene. A few homes evacuated including Byrne’s.
People were wetting down the siding and a young couple nearby saw their fence scorched from the searing heat.
The forest fire index in central Newfoundland is currently extreme, meaning there is a very high risk of fire and dangerous forest conditions.
A forest fire in @town_bfalls is under control thanks to the quick teamwork of fire fighters from Bishop’s Falls Fire Dept & @FFA_GovNL & a @TI_GovNL water bomber. Please do your part to help prevent forest fires & keep our forests – and our hardworking fire crews – safe. #GovNL pic.twitter.com/0cIb4gPeJY
— Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture NL (@FFA_GovNL) June 24, 2021
Earlier Story
Officials have the upper hand in knocking down a forest fire that broke out right in the middle of Bishop’s Falls this afternoon.
Mayor Bryan King says while the local fire department and a water bomber have things under control, the fire did get close to local homes.
He says the fire broke out right in the middle of the town in the area of a local subdivision.
While no one had to be evacuated, King is asking local residents to stay clear of the site while officials work at the scene.
