Warm weather fuels western Labrador forest fire

The weather added new concern in western Labrador as crews tried to douse forest fires that have already destroyed a string of cabins.

Water bombers were dropping loads of water Wednesday on fires that have destroyed almost 70 square kilometres of forest since Sunday, in land outside Wabush and Labrador City.

At least five cabins around Moosehead Lake, around 15 kilometres east of Labrador City, have been burned, and owners are anxious that the destruction may be even worse.

"It's no good to worry about it," said Estelle Aylward, who owns a cabin in the affected area.

"It's material things, but a lot of our home things from Newfoundland [are] there. We've got a lot of people down on that lake ... People are just waiting to see."

Temperatures in the region were forecast to hit the high teens on Wednesday, and enter the 20s on Wednesday.

Water bombers and ground crews are focus their attention protecting cabins in the Blueberry Hill area today. 

A section of the highway between Wabush and Churchill Falls remained closed on Wednesday because of the fire. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary temporarily cancelled escorts of some vehicles, saying the force did not want "to jeopardize people's safety" around the fire area.

Conservation officer Chuck Porter says six more men have been brought in to relieve water bomber crews, something that is routine when fires continue over several days.

While frost on Wednesday morning delayed helicopters from flying to survey the area, Porter said more hot spots developed overnight around the Trans-Labrador Highway.

Three water bombers and two helicopters are in the region offering air support.

Porter says additional ground crews may be requested as the day develops, to help extinguish hot spots.