Fire Fighters Face Unique Challenges During Forest Fire Season

Fire suppression staff with the Department of Natural Resources responded to 67 forest fires on the island and 32 fires in Labrador during the 2013 official forest fire season.

“Overall, it was an average season in terms of the number of fires, however there were periods of heightened activity near the end of June and early July when it was extremely busy, especially in Labrador,” said the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. “During that period, fire suppression activities proved to be challenging with high winds, warmer than average temperatures and very little precipitation to assist relief efforts.”

The official forest fire season began on the island on May 1 and in Labrador on May 15. The season ended in both regions on September 30. In total, only 53 hectares of forest land burnt on the island. In Labrador, 49,900 hectares were burnt, most of which was located in remote and inaccessible areas.

The 2013 forest fire season saw the Provincial Government implement an outdoor fire ban for forest land in Labrador when dry weather and hot temperatures combined to elevate the forest fire threat throughout the region. Two fires, one near the Town of Wabush and the other at Gull Island, proved especially challenging given the weather conditions at the time. The Wabush fire posed a serious risk to the town leading to the deployment of a Provincial Incident Management Team and the evacuation of residents.

Under the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) Mutual Aid Resources Sharing Agreement a safety officer was brought to Labrador from Nova Scotia and a planning section chief was brought in from New Brunswick to assist the provincial incident management team. A water bomber imported from New Brunswick was stationed on the island for two weeks in July to support provincial resources.

“Our fire suppression staff, permanent staff, Incident Management Team, Air Services pilots, and maintenance crews are to be commended for their expertise and professionalism,” Minister Dalley said. “Our department also thanks the people of Labrador City and Wabush, as well as all other agencies, for their cooperation and assistance during the forest fires.”

In 2012, the department’s fire suppression staff responded to 197 fires. The department has seasonal forest firefighters stationed throughout the province and a toll-free number is available to report forest fires during forest fire season. The number is 1-866-709-FIRE (3473).

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Media contact:
Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 631-8155
dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca

2013 10 30                                   11:20 a.m.