Furey says firefighting efforts at Churchill Falls 'finally getting some help from Mother Nature'

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said Wednesday he is cautiously optimistic about the efforts to keep the massive forest fire threatening Churchill Falls at bay.

During an update Wednesday afternoon, Furey said the fire remains on the perimeter of the town, which Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro operates to run one of North America's largest power plants. 

He said favourable weather conditions should continue to keep the forest fire — which prompted a mass exodus a week ago, and a full evacuation on Tuesday — away from the town's residential areas. The fire is currently about three kilometres from the town.

"We are finally getting some help from Mother Nature," Furey said.

The fire, which has been fluctuating continuously, was downgraded from as high as a Level 6 classification to as low as Level 2. Under higher categorizations, water bombers are unable to fly. Level 2 and Level 3 categorizations indicate there are some open flames and hot spots.

"These are much better days to fight fires than the two or three we've seen preceding today. And once we get a clear visual once the ceiling is clear we can get choppers, we'll look at what the suppression plan is," said Jamie Chippett, the deputy minister of the Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture.

Parts of Labrador West have been without power since Tuesday as flames and dropped water tripped power lines at Churchill Falls, but power had been restored to all customers in Labrador City and most of Wabush as of early Wednesday evening, according to an update from N.L. Hydro. The utility says crews are working to restore power to its remaining customers without electricity.

The Iron Ore Company of Canada mine has also restarted operations in Labrador City.

As wildfires continue in Labrador and Quebec, there is a risk of additional power outages for all customers in Labrador.

Hydro is monitoring the situation and encourages customers to stay updated and prepared. 

Hydro is looking at contingency plans to help Wabush such as moving a generator into place to provide power but neighbouring stations in Quebec have different systems.

Backup supply from Hydro-Québec's Fermont station was a good match for the Labrador City station but not Wabush, according to Williams.

Hydro is working to allow Fermont power to share supply in the two areas, but the updates must be done with extreme caution.

"If you rush it, you could have power quality issues and you fry everyone's microwave," Williams said.