Thousands evacuated as ‘extremely aggressive’ wildfires rage in eastern Canada

CNN
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A wildfire in eastern Canada has burned more than 24,000 acres and forced thousands to flee the town of Labrador City, where at least one hospital has been closed, officials said Saturday.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said in a statement that the “very aggressive inferno” was under full control earlier this week, but weather conditions changed on Friday, setting the stage for rapid fire spread. Facebook Update Saturday.

The fire has burned 22,000 acres and moved 13 miles in just four hours, Forry said.

About 9,500 people have been evacuated from Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador government spokesman Jeremy Reynolds told CNN on Saturday. “A core group of staff remain to oversee the emergency response,” he added.

Located in the northwestern part of the province, Labrador City is a remote city about 900 miles north of Canada’s capital, Ottawa.

The fire is spreading just three miles northwest of Labrador City. Residents have been told to evacuate to the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay — a six-hour drive away, Furey said.

a Evacuation order The fire has “the potential to grow significantly near Labrador West in the next 24 to 48 hours,” a report released by the fire department on Friday said. Meanwhile, an evacuation alert has been issued for the nearby community of Wabush, with residents urged to be prepared to evacuate at any moment, Furey said.

The wildfires also temporarily closed the Labrador West Health Centre, Furey said. Everyone at the hospital was safely evacuated, including 45 patients receiving care for more serious conditions. Those patients were transferred to facilities within the province, Furey added.

The hospital announced that it will remain closed until it is safe to fully reopen.

“Ambulances are stationed in the area to respond to emergency calls where direct emergency services are not available,” the hospital said in a statement. New release Saturday.