The town of Badger is preparing for the possibility of residents having to evacuate as a wildfire threatens the community.

The blaze broke out yesterday, and this morning emergency services informed town officials that they are now under an evacuation alert – meaning residents should be ready to go at a moment’s notice.

According to government, the fire is 380 hectares in size and is 4 km away from the town.

NL Hydro has advised that they have reduced the amount of electricity being transmitted over the Labrador-Island Link to minimize impacts to customers.

Mayor Dennis Butt says coordination efforts are underway on the ground.

Butt describes the scene in the community.

He says there is a “heavy fog of smoke” in the town, and there is debris from the fire falling on cars.

Butt says officials will be doing patrols in the town and helping people who need it.

He says it is a good idea for people to have a bag packed.

People should make sure they have medications that they will need, personal documents, wallets, and purses. As well, but says people should make sure their vehicles are full of fuel.

The fire hazard index in the area is currently listed as extreme.

Earlier Story

Firefighting resources have been deployed after a forest fire broke out approximately 3 km southwest of Badger.

Grand Falls-Windsor fire chief Vince MacKenzie believes the fire was ignited during a lightning storm yesterday afternoon.

Two waterbombers were flown in from Gander to tackle the blaze, which is burning on the east side of the Exploits River across from Badger and Grand Falls-Windsor.

As of yesterday evening, there was no immediate threat to the towns.

Environment Canada meteorologist Tiffany Cheeks says things are expected to be on the breezy side in the area today.

She says there is no precipitation in the forecast for today. There is some rain expected later in the week, though nothing significant.

The fire hazard index in the area is currently listed as extreme.