Overnight rain in Labrador has given fire crews the break they needed to attack a large forest fire threatening the communities of North West River and Sheshatshiu.
Two water bombers and tow helicopters, as well as ground crews, are working to hold the southern perimeter of the fire.
About 30 kilometres away from the 14,000 hectare fire’s southern edge, the two communities are still under an evacuation alert.
A change in wind direction could change all that, though.
“So far the wind direction has been favourable,” said Eric Earle, provincial forest fire duty officer.
He calls the situation “cautiously optimistic,” and says currently all efforts are on the southern portion of the fire. Once that has been contained, crews will work to bring the rest of the fire under control, he said.




