Forestry officials are encouraging residents in the Labrador West region to be vigilant as recent prolonged dry conditions and high temperatures have resulted in an elevated wildfire risk. The Fire Weather Index (FWI) forecast is HIGH for parts of Labrador today.

The public are reminded burning permits are invalid when the FWI is HIGH, VERY HIGH or EXTREME and open or outdoor fires are not permitted when the FWI is VERY HIGH or EXTREME. To report a wildfire, call 1-866-709-FIRE (3473).

There are currently two active wildfires in the Labrador West region. One fire is burning in the Menihek Dam area, 160 kilometres north of Labrador City at a location near the Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Menihek Hydroelectric Generation Station, and is estimated to be about 950 hectares in size. This fire is currently impacting railroad travel that runs through Labrador West and into Schefferville, Quebec. Waterbombers and helicopters are continuing to action this fire today.

The second wildfire is burning in a remote area near Milner Lake West and is estimated to be 5,900 hectares in size. This fire does not pose a threat to people or property and forestry officials continue to monitor.

The public are encouraged to view real-time active wildfire information, including maps identifying the location of fires, on the new online NL Active Wildfire Dashboard.

There are currently three waterbombers based in Labrador, two at Happy Valley-Goose Bay and one in Wabush, and one waterbomber located in Deer Lake. Waterbombers are regularly repositioned in response to the forecasted wildfire risk.

All residents of the province should exercise caution when planning outdoor fires. The public is reminded a permit to burn must be obtained from a provincial forest management district office to burn vegetation, wood and paper products during forest fire season. A permit is not required for backyard fires, recreational campfires and boil-ups on forest land, or within 300 metres of forest land, on condition the fire is prepared in accordance with strict Provincial Forest Fire Regulations.

Anyone planning outdoor fires should first check the provincial online forest fire hazard rating maps to determine the level of forest fire risk. Fire hazard maps can be viewed at the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture website and are updated daily.

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