Waterbombers deployed after another blazing wildfire near Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Forest fire season still not over, says provincial fire duty officer
Thick and heavy smoke filled the Labrador skies once again on Saturday as a forest fire broke out on Corte Real Road, a few kilometres outside Happy-Valley Goose Bay.
The fire, which was deemed out of control, did not cause any damage to properties or nearby infrastructure, says provincial forest fire duty officer Laurie Holloway.
A water bomber and several ground crews responded to the flames, which were soon brought under control, Holloway said.
Holloway says apart from the firefighting efforts, periods of rain in the area were also helpful in managing the fire.
There are four active wildfires in the province, three of them in Labrador. Although the fires burning in Ship Harbour and Kenamu River are labelled out of control by the provincial active wildfire dashboard, the one in eastern Newfoundland remains contained.
Holloway says a fire south of Happy-Valley Goose Bay poses no risk to residents but the department is keeping a close eye on it.
"We still have risks of fire even though it's September," said Holloway. "I'd encourage residents to be very diligent in their activities, especially the ones who decide to camp."
The officer also reminds people to put out fires before they leave their camps, and to regularly check the wildlife dashboard for any fire bans in their town.
According to the provincial wildfire data, there have been 84 wildfires in the Newfoundland and Labrador this year so far, with over 50 per cent of them in Labrador.
There were 27 forest fires in eastern Newfoundland and 14 of them in the west.
Dozens of Forest fires ravaged parts of Labrador earlier this year, driving thousands of evacuees out of their homes in Labrador City and Churchill Falls.
"This year was definitely a bigger year compared to previous forest fire seasons," said Holloway. "But with the help of some precipitation we can hope for the fires to be under control soon."
Newfoundland and Labrador forest fire season officially ends Sept. 30.
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
With files from Labrador Morning