Wildfire in Labrador jumps Churchill River, hydro generating station evacuated

The Labrador wildfire threatening the town of Churchill Falls jumped the Churchill River on Tuesday, prompting the emergency evacuation of the hydroelectric generating station about seven kilometres away.

The Labrador wildfire threatening the town of Churchill Falls jumped the Churchill River on Tuesday, prompting the emergency evacuation of the hydroelectric generating station about seven kilometres away.

The river had acted as a natural fire break since the wildfire's rapid spread on June 19 led officials to order the evacuation of most of the company town's 750 residents and workers.

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

"From Day 1, we hoped and prayed the fire would stay on the correct side of the river," Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey told a news conference in St. John's. 

"It's what we were all hoping wouldn't happen .... There's a heightened level of risk of fire propagation on the community side of the river."

The fire started on June 13 and has since grown to 15 square kilometres.

Furey said that as of Tuesday, the intensity of the fire was rated at Category 4. He said if it grows to become a Category 5 or Category 6 fire, the larger flames will make it impossible for waterbombers to operate. Six of the aircraft are now fighting the fire. Officials say there is no rain in the forecast before Thursday.