The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, is extending heartfelt thanks to emergency management partners and local residents who collectively shouldered a tremendous responsibility and helped to safely resolve the largest evacuation in Newfoundland and Labrador history.

On the evening of Friday, July 12, with a fast-moving wildfire bearing down on their town, 9,600 residents of Labrador City received notice to evacuate immediately and head for Happy Valley-Goose Bay. With little more than the clothes on their backs and family pets, these people bravely took on the daunting 530-kilometre journey east, without knowing if they would have a home to return to. This safe and orderly evacuation was accomplished without injury or incident, a testament to the people of Labrador City.

What awaited them at the end of that long and unforgettable night was the best that humanity could offer. Just like during the evacuation of Churchill Falls earlier this summer, once again the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and its residents opened their hearts and homes to people in need, offering shelter, food, and comfort to their fellow Labradorians. By morning, multiple shelters had sprung up as the community rallied to support evacuees for as long as required.

While evacuees received humanitarian assistance, firefighting aircraft and ground crews took immediate action to battle the wildfire just outside of Labrador City. Over the next 10 days firefighting personnel, supported by favourable weather, successfully contained the wildfire and began extinguishing hotspots. This all-hands effort involved over 60 ground crew, eight waterbomber pilots, five helicopter pilots, one air attack officer, one bird dog aircraft, two duty officers and the invaluable support of Quebec and New Brunswick firefighting partners. Because of this heroic effort, on Saturday, July 20, Premier Furey was able to announce the evacuation order for Labrador City would be lifted at noon on Monday, July 22.

The towns of Labrador City and Wabush are applauded for their constant action to support the response and for keeping residents frequently informed with the latest information. Additional emergency management partners include Canadian Forces and 5 Wing Goose Bay, Public Safety Canada, Canadian Red Cross, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, Salvation Army, Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association, Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada, Central Labrador YMCA, E.J. Broomfield Arena, College of the North Atlantic, Bethel Pentecostal Tabernacle, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Happy Valley-Goose Bay SPCA, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, St. John Ambulance, Rio Tinto, Nav Canada, and many others.

Premier Furey is also thanking the countless employees across multiple departments who worked long days and weekends to ensure the safety of residents and community over the course of the evacuation and the eventual return home. Contributions were far reaching and included:

• The team of firefighters, staff, and the incident management team who led wildfire suppression and management efforts.
• Leading inspiring humanitarian efforts, such as shelter operations and food services.
• Launching an emergency financial assistance program, with over $2.4 million distributed through the Canadian Red Cross to-date, and working to announce additional supports in the coming days.
• Emergency services staff at the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre who provided extensive communication and coordination with federal, municipal, and community partners.
• Timely outreach activities.
• Ensuring highway safety and adding ferry crossings.

The latest information on the location, status, and size of active wildfires can be viewed online at the NL Active Wildfire Dashboard.

Provincial fire hazard index maps are updated daily and can be viewed at the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture website, along with information about campfires.

To report a wildfire, call: 1-866-709-FIRE (3473).

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“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have once again shown the world there is no challenge that we cannot overcome. Our friends and neighbours in Labrador City are back where they belong. My thanks go out to everyone who contributed to this herculean undertaking that resulted in a safe return home.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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