By Canadian Press

Wildfire in Labrador jumps Churchill River, generating station being evacuated

Jun 25, 2024 | 1:02 PM

CHURCHILL FALLS, N.L. — The wildfire in Labrador threatening the evacuated town of Churchill Falls has jumped the Churchill River, prompting the evacuation of the nearby hydroelectric generating station.

The river has acted as a natural fire break ever since the wildfire broke out on June 13 and then rapidly grew on June 19, prompting the evacuation of the town, home to 750 residents.

But a skeleton crew was kept on at the station, which supplies electricity to Labrador and Quebec.

A Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro spokeswoman confirmed that everyone at the plant— estimated at 100 employees, contractors and fire officials — have been ordered to leave.

Jennifer Williams, president of the Crown corporation, told a news conference in St. John’s that the plan is to operate the station remotely from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, a three-hour drive to the east.

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She said the massive plant, which started producing commercial power in 1971, wasn’t designed to be operated remotely, but crews have made it possible to offer limited monitoring and operation in the last few days.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2024.

The Canadian Press