Newfoundland wildfires: Premier says situation improving and evacuation risk is low

Officials say the wildfire situation in central Newfoundland is improving and the risk of evacuation is now low for nearby communities.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said in a video on social media Thursday night that rain, wind and air quality conditions have all been favourable.

He said the evacuation risk is low for the towns of Grand Falls-Windsor and Bishop’s Falls and patients removed from health-care facilities in the region were being returned.

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Provincial officials said in a news release today that because of the improving situation the Canadian Red Cross shelter in the western town of Deer lake would be closed.

Officials say those at the shelter would be transported back to their towns.

The fires near Grand Falls-Windsor and the nearby Bay d’Espoir Highway have been burning for almost three weeks, and Furey warned that despite the favourable weather conditions, the wildfires still pose a threat.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2022.