'The weather conditions are favourable,' N.L. premier says as wildfire remains away from Churchill Falls

The wildfire that forced the evacuation of Churchill Falls remains three kilometres from the community as the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador signalled cautious optimism.

The wildfire that forced the evacuation of Churchill Falls remains three kilometres from the community as the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador signalled cautious optimism.

"The weather conditions are favourable such that the wind pattern in particular should keep it away from the town," said Premier Andrew Furey, who noted Wednesday's rain, wind and humidex.

On Tuesday, the people who remained in the community were forced to flee as the wildfire jumped the Churchill River.

Web cameras rolling near the community's airport west of the town captured flames on the airport's doorstep.

"The flames were very, very close and for some reason jumped the airstrip and jumped all the buildings," Furey said. "The airstrip is intact, as are the buildings."

Furey said the wildfire raged rapidly once it jumped the river in two different locations Tuesday. It first hit Hyde Lake before jumping to the airport and then coming up against a reservoir.