State of emergency to lift in Newfoundland as forest fire situation improves
Newfoundland and Labrador officials say the state of emergency called last weekend because of raging wildfires in the centre of the province will end on Saturday.
Wildfire behaviour, air quality and weather conditions were all encouraging enough to support the decision, the Department of Justice and Public Safety said Friday in a news release.
"The current forecast is showing favourable weather conditions and continuing to trend in a positive direction," the department said.
The state of emergency in the central Newfoundland towns of Grand Falls-Windsor, Bishop's Falls and Botwood, and in the southern area of the Connaigre Peninsula, will end at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.
Two forest fires near the central Newfoundland town of Grand Falls-Windsor and the nearby Bay d'Espoir Highway have been raging for nearly three weeks. They were triggered July 24 by lightning strikes during a period of hot, dry weather. As of Friday, their estimated total area was holding steady at just over 228 square kilometres.
The fires have caused intermittent shutdowns on the Bay d'Espoir Highway. Officials announced the state of emergency last weekend.
Premier Andrew Furey said in a video posted to social media Thursday evening that weather conditions were "co-operative" and officials felt the situation was improving. "The threat level has come down, albeit, but it is still there," he said.
Furey said patients who had been evacuated from the health-care facilities in the area were being returned. Further west, in the town of Deer Lake, an emergency shelter set up by the Canadian Red Cross for those fleeing the smoke was shut down and its residents were transported back to their towns, the province said Friday.
Justin Boudreau, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada in Gander, N.L., said Friday that the weekend forecast in the area called for rain, cool temperatures and even fog. In other words, he said, it was a good forecast for those battling the fires in central Newfoundland.
"If any summer could bring this kind of stuff, I figured it was ours," Boudreau said in an interview. "If these conditions continue, it's a reason to be cautiously optimistic."
Boudreau said winds were low Friday and air quality was good, adding that fog may roll into the area later in the day. There was a chance of rain in the area on Saturday, with "straight-up showers" expected Sunday.
There was a hint of smoke in the air Friday on morning, he said, but air conditions have been good for the past few days.
"If we were to get into more extremely dry conditions, I'm sure it would probably flare back up again," he said. "As it stands right now, we're not looking at any prolonged periods without any rain, or at least without rain around the area. It's reason to be hopeful."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.