Welcome rainfall is having a dramatic impact on the forest fire index in Labrador West.
Showers and rain are in the forecast for today and the remainder of the week, something that is being celebrated by fire crews and government officials alike.
Deputy Minister of the Department of Forestry, Jamie Chippett delivered an update on the forest fire situation in Lab West this morning.
“What a difference a week makes” says Chippett. “We have 24 active wildfires on the NL Fire Dashboard. Six of those are listed as under control, three are being held. Much of the remainder are remote fires that we normally monitor because they are not an immediate threat to communities or to key pieces of infrastructure.”
Province Committing to More Support For Wildfire Resources
The province’s 5th waterbomber takes flight after undergoing repairs (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)
The provincial government meanwhile is committing to greater support for wildfire resources in Labrador.
The province says it will continue planning to have a waterbomber based in Wabush on a seasonal basis, provide more than $66,000 in fire equipment for fire departments in Labrador, and the purchase of two dedicated mobile firefighting units – one for Wabush and the other for Happy Valley-Goose Bay for use throughout the region.
Six new wildland firefighter positions are being allocated for Labrador, while the province says it will continue to work closely with communities in the region to establish community wildfire prevention and mitigation program plans and projects.
