Residents in parts of the local service district of Lethbridge, N.L. are allowed to return to their homes on Monday afternoon, although a wildfire that originated in a bark pile and extended to the neighboring forest is still active.
The evacuation area encompassed Oldford’s Hill, Southwest Bridge, Bayside Drive, and Forest Drive, including the Sexton Lumber saw mill. An evacuation alert is still in place, confirmed by local service district clerk Annie Harris.
During an interview with CBC Radio on Monday, Sexton Lumber Owner Kevin Sexton clarified that the fire was not caused by humans but rather by a chemical reaction resulting in spontaneous combustion. Sexton mentioned that the fire engulfed the entire bark pile rapidly due to dry conditions, with approximately 100,000 tonnes of bark ablaze within an hour.
Sexton explained that such fires are not uncommon with bark piles, but the arid and windy weather in the region facilitated the rapid spread of the fire. Despite attempts to extinguish it with water, the fire proved challenging to combat, requiring the heap to be excavated and drenched. The firebreak is being constructed to prevent further expansion.
The fire, as reported by the province’s Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture on Facebook, covers about one hectare and did not grow overnight. Efforts with two water bombers, a bucketing helicopter, and ground crews are ongoing to address hot spots.
Provincial fire duty officer Wes Morgan acknowledged the difficulties in fighting the fire due to the unique nature of the bark pile. However, favorable weather conditions have aided the firefighting efforts by allowing extensive dousing of the area.
Following the lifting of the evacuation order, impacted residents expressed relief at the prospect of returning home. A reception center initially set up at Anthony Paddon Elementary has been relocated to the Salvation Army Citadel. Evacuees are required to register with the Canadian Red Cross on-site or via phone.
While three schools in the vicinity remained closed on Monday, Route 233 was impassable in both directions. The provincial fire ban, enforced since August 5 due to severe dry conditions and multiple wildfires, will persist until at least Friday, with violators facing hefty fines and potential imprisonment.
The ban prohibits all fires and mandates off-road vehicles to be equipped with spark prevention devices. Compliance with the regulations will be reviewed on Friday.