Crews continue to dump water near Churchill Falls as a forest fire continues to pose a threat to the community.

In an update issued earlier today, NL Hydro says the fire is stable and the fire remains on the south side of the river.

Speaking with reporters from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Premier Andrew Furey said the intensity of the fire changes throughout the day.

They’re finding that the fire is around a category 2 status in the mornings, meaning it is mostly smoke and embers but no open flame, and it picks up to category 4 status in the afternoon and evening.

Furey says in addition to provincial resources, crews are also on hand from Saskatchewan and Ontario. Two waterbombers from Quebec were recalled due to forest fire activity in that province.

The premier says work has begun to create a fire break on the community side of the river in case the fire does cross over.

He says temperatures and winds are down right now, so they’re hopeful a “good dent” can be made with fire suppression efforts over the next 24 to 48 hours.

However that’s according to their modelling, which as Furey explains can change. He says last Wednesday he was told the fire was almost extinguished, and then the wind patterns changed. He describes the current modelling as “moderately favorable.”