Labrador wildfire update: ‘Promising’ forecast [Video]

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. –

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey says the wildfire near Churchill Falls has been downgraded, and rain in the forecast for central Labrador is expected to further ease the threat. 

Furey wrote on the X social media platform Wednesday night that fire crews are monitoring the situation, while Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro continues to protect the power supply from Churchill Falls.

The premier said the fire is now ranked as Category 1, which means there are smouldering ground fires less than a metre in height.

Power was restored on Wednesday to Wabush in western Labrador after a break in the flames allowed utility workers to reach the Churchill Falls hydroelectric generating station.

The fire had knocked out power from two of the plant’s transmission lines on Tuesday, the same day the flames jumped the Churchill River and advanced toward the town, forcing the evacuation of the skeleton crew operating the …