Light rain overnight but Badger forest fire continues; residents have been evacuated

    Thursday, 19 June 2025 12:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Photo by Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Chief Vince Mackenzie

    Meanwhile, Forestry Minister Lisa Dempster says a fire about a kilometre in size in Churchill Falls is being held with two tankers and helicopters on site.

    Light rain overnight was a welcomed sight for many people as a wild fire continues near Badger. Residents were evacuated to Grand Falls-Windsor yesterday as flames have burned hundreds of hectares. Forestry Minister Lisa Dempster chaired the 40th annual Canadian Council of Forestry Ministers meetings this week in St. John’s. She’s new to the role since last month but says ministers are concerned about changes in weather patterns and are all navigating uncertain times. Dempster remembers the largest evacuation in the province’s history due to fires last year in Churchill Falls. She says 99 percent of these fires are caused by human activity and the season started early in NL with 117 fires so far. The Minister says in some provinces the fines can be hefty; it’s $1000 here in NL but in Nova Scotia the fine is $25,000.

    Meanwhile, Dempster says a fire about a kilometre in size in Churchill Falls is being held with two tankers and helicopters on site. The next Canadian Council of Forestry Ministers will be held in British Columbia.

     

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