LABRADOR CITY, N.L. – Officials say a fire that forced thousands of people to flee Labrador City on Friday night was under control earlier this week, but a sudden change it conditions caused it to explode into “an extremely aggressive inferno.”
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey says the blaze grew Friday from six square kilometres to about 100 square kilometres, advancing by 21 kilometres in just four hours.
He says the fire is now about six kilometres away from the community of Labrador City, and about one kilometres from the town’s landfill.
Labrador City is home to about 7,450 people, and they were ordered to leave on Friday night and make the six-hour drive east to Happy Valley-Goose Bay along a remote, two-lane highway.
The only stop along the way to get gas is in Churchill Falls, in central Labrador, which was temporarily evacuated last month because of another wildfire.
Forestry official Jamie Chippett says wildfire have already devoured twice as much land in Newfoundland and Labrador this summer than in typical years.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2024.
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