Massive Wildfire Forces Evacuation of Labrador City, Canada
Mass Evacuations Underway as Fierce Wildfire Rages in Eastern Canada A wildfire in eastern Canada has burned over 24,000 acres, prompting the evacuation of thousands from Labrador City. Officials reported on Saturday that the fire, described as an “extremely aggressive inferno,” had been fully under control earlier in the week. However, shifting weather conditions on Friday caused it to rapidly spread, expanding by 22,000 acres within four hours, according to Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Andrew Furey.
Jeremy Reynolds, a spokesperson for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, confirmed that approximately 9,500 residents had been evacuated from Labrador City. Essential personnel remain to manage the emergency response. Labrador City, situated about 900 miles north of Ottawa, faces a fire spreading just three miles northwest of its borders. Residents are advised to evacuate to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, a six-hour drive away.
Furey issued an evacuation order on Friday night, warning of the fire’s potential to approach Labrador West within the next 24 to 48 hours. An evacuation alert has also been issued for Wabush, urging residents to prepare for immediate evacuation.
The wildfire necessitated the temporary closure of Labrador West Health Centre, with all patients safely evacuated, including 45 receiving critical care who were transferred to other facilities in the province. The hospital will remain closed until conditions allow full reopening. Ambulances are on standby to respond to emergencies, as walk-in emergency services are unavailable, stated a hospital news release on Saturday.
