Direct link to video on YouTube from Global News
I have been writing about forest fires that are still burning in central Newfoundland, see my August 8th post for more information. The two largest forest fires, the Paradise Like and the Bay d’Espoir Highway Fires remain out of control. Both fires have grown since my last update on August 8th with the Paradis Lake Fire growing from an estimated 6,614 ha (16,344 acres) on August 8th to 17,233 ha (42,584 acres) today. The Bay d’Espoir Fire has grown by 496 ha (1,226 acres) from 5,273 ha (13,030 acres) on August 8th 5,769 ha (14,256 acres) on August 10th. There was some rain yesterday that may have helped a little but it seems that there is a ways to go before the fires are under control. I got the two images with the current report on Active Forest Fires (August 10th, 11 AM NDT, note this information may be updated a couple of times a day). At the time that I am writing this post the Bay d’Espoir Highway, the only road into some communities on the south coast of Newfoundland.
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| obtained on August 10, 2022 from https://www.gov.nl.ca/ffa/files/forestry-forest-fires-pdf-active-fires.pdf |
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The Bay d’Espoir Highway was closed for approximately five days through later in the day on Tuesday, August 9th (CBC on Bay d'Espoir Highway reopening and CBC on supplies begin to flow into southern coast communities) Not only does this mean that visitors and others stranded in some communities on the south coast could leave and go home, it also meant that for five days supplies in communities such as St. Albans were dwindling as deliveries of food, gasoline, and other crucial items by road were impossible. Supplies were starting to come into these formerly cut-off communities by late in the afternoon of August 9th. I understand that while these communities were cut-off because of the closure of the Bay d’Espoir Highway (that links with the Trans Canada Highway), that helicopters were available for those requiring medical treatment and other emergencies.
According to this CBC report on August 10th, smokey conditions continue and the Bay d'Espoir Highway will remain open through the end of today, August 10th to be reevaluated tomorrow, August 11th.
I can not possibly know what it is like to visit or live in a community that only was one road in and out, but my thoughts are with all those on the south coast of Newfoundland who were cut off because of the closure of the Bay d’Espoir Highway. As to whether or not the highway will be closed again, I am sure that no one wants this to happen but if safety dictates that the highway be closed again, than it will be closed again.
I applaud the firefighters both in the air and on the ground working these fires. Stay safe and thanks for your service as you spend time away from your families. Thanks to Quebec for lending four water bombers to Newfoundland.
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