Labrador City told to head to Happy Valley-Goose Bay as wildfire draws nearer to town
CBC
Residents of Labrador City, ordered to evacuate as a nearby out-of-control fire draws closer to the town, are being told to head east to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, more than 500 kilometres away.
Mayor Belinda Adams said Friday evening the E.J. Broomfield Arena will accommodate evacuees, marking the town's second time accepting residents forced to evacuate due to wildfires in less than a month.
"The only way to go is to go east," said Adams in a Facebook video. "We cannot go the other way, we have to go east. So pack up your vehicles and go, and take essentials only."
On June 19, more than 750 residents from Churchill Falls went to Happy Valley-Goose Bay as wildfires put the community at risk.
"It's just been a very difficult beginning of summer," said George Andrews, the mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
With the entirety of Labrador City travelling East, Andrews said the town is prepared to see its population almost double. He feels its important to help, because Happy Valley-Goose Bay could find itself in a similar situation.
"To be honest with you, when I hear our sirens kick in town, I get stomach sick because I think it's a fire situation. When I look at the ambulance going down the road, I kind of breath that sigh of relief."
With the smell of smoke in the air from another wildfire in the region, in combination with hot and dry temperatures, Andrews wants to see the rest of the summer filled with rain.
"We hope that this incident will wrap up quickly. We can help where we can. And then I personally hope it rains for the rest of the summer."
The provincial government says the fire has the potential to grow significantly closer to Labrador West over the next 24 to 48 hours. Neighbouring Wabush is under an evacuation alert, with residents advised to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
The provincial government is advising residents to stay updated via media reports.
Tacora Resources has suspended operations at the Scully Mine site north of Wabush until conditions improve. On X, formerly Twitter, Premier Andrew Furey advised the town's residents of Wabush to also stay alert.
"An evacuation order is in place for the Town of Labrador City due of the status of the wildfire burning in western Labrador. Residents of Wabush are asked to remain vigilant as conditions can change. Check on your family, friends and neighbours, and please stay safe," Furey said.
The fire threatening Labrador West is one of three wildfires threatening communities in Labrador.
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