(Wabush) Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey announced Saturday that some residents of Labrador City will be allowed to return home after a wildfire forced them to evacuate last week.
Furey said essential workers will be allowed to return over the next 48 hours to prepare for the city’s return when the evacuation order is lifted at noon Monday.
Those allowed to return to Labrador City over the weekend include health care workers, their families and grocery workers.
Mr. Furey said the fire near Labrador City, now under control, remains a Category 1 fire – the lowest on a scale of six – and is burning close to ground level.
PHOTO DARRYL DYCK, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
He said with good weather conditions and the efforts of firefighters, the risk to Labrador City is “very low.”
Crews have been putting out the flames from the air with water bombers and helicopters, and the prime minister said firefighters on the ground were also working to bring the blaze under control.