The Department of Forestry has told Sexton Lumber in Lethbridge, Bonavista Bay to create a fire guard to prevent the potential spread of fire into the surrounding woods.

The directive comes after two fires at the company’s massive bark pile, the most recent of which forced the temporary evacuation of some homes after the fire spread into the trees.

That fire has since been held.

Construction of the fireguard is underway.

The Local Service District this week voiced concern about the danger posed by the size and volume of the bark pile, and questioned the regulations surrounding the disposal of wood waste.

The department says the mill industry is subject to a variety of legislation including the Mill Regulations and Forestry Act. Section 17 specifies that mill waste “shall be piled or disposed of in a location or manner that will not result in due harm to the environment.”