Wildfire in Labrador Jumps Churchill River, Hydro Generating Station Evacuated

The wildfire in Labrador threatening the town of Churchill Falls jumped the Churchill River on June 25, prompting the evacuation of the nearby hydroelectric generating station. 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 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 and that the river would act as a natural fire barrier,” Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey told a news conference in St. John’s. “I think it’s premature to say how the fire will behave in a new scenario.” The fire broke out on June 13....