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The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has stepped in, declaring a blanket fire ban for all of Labrador, as the province works to keep pace with current wildfire activity.
The ban is effective immediately and in effect to July 13.
A public notice issued Wednesday evening said the provincial government was applying the ban “due to extensive wildfire activity, as well as elevated Fire Weather Index ratings in the region.”
The ban is more specifically issued per section 99 of the Forestry Act. It permits the minister to proclaim a blanket ban on setting fires for any purpose, in any part of the province, “whenever the minister considers it necessary for the purpose of reducing the probability of a fire starting or spreading” in the period stated.
The notice included reminders: all permits to burn grass, brush or other materials are cancelled. Fireworks and sky lanterns are banned. Campfires are not permitted.
“Gas or propane-fuelled units such as barbecues may be used during a fire ban if operated safely. Use extra caution if there is anything flammable nearby,” the notice stated. However, they can’t be used within 3.5 metres of any trees, brush or other flammable material.
ATVs are already required to have installed spark preventers. Vehicles require fire extinguishers with a minimum 225 grams of ABC-class fire retardant.
The ban follows several tense days for residents in Labrador West, where evacuation orders are still in effect and, despite some rain improving conditions in that area, five wildfires are continuing to burn out of control as of the last available update.
Evacuation orders were issued Monday for the Walsh River, Tamarack Golf Course, Duley Lake and Throne Lake areas, and remain in place as of 6 p.m. NT Wednesday.
However, other areas of Labrador have also received attention from firefighting units. As of Wednesday evening, of 28 active wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador, 25 are in Labrador.
Of the 25 active fires in Labrador, three are listed as being held. The rest are categorized as out of control, meaning they are not responding or only responding on a limited basis to firefighting activity and not considered contained.
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