N.L. Premier Andrew Furey has announced that the evacuation of Labrador City is being partially lifted.
The wildfire threatening the community is not entirely out, but it is now considered under control.
The evacuation order, issued over a week ago, uprooted almost 10,000 people from the community, sending many on the 500 kilometre trek to Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The fire also left residents of nearby Wabush in a holding pattern, wondering if they were next and scrambling to stock up on gas and food.
Furey says fire suppression efforts will continue, but a variety of factors have put the province in a good position to lift the evacuation order.
“But looking toward the predictive modelling and the weather patterns that are coming that it is safe to say that the probability of risk to the town of Lab City and Wabush is very low.”
Furey says firefighters remain on the ground and they are monitoring hotspots. The fire remains at a category one level, which is to say there is still some work left to make sure it’s fully out.
Fire ban lifted for island
As well the fire ban, still in effect for Labrador has been lifted for the island portion of the province.
This means the setting of fires within 300 metres of forest land may resume in Newfoundland.
The ban does not include fires using gas, propane, or charcoal, provided it is not used within 3.5 metres from and woods, brush or flammable material.
With nine wildfires still active in Labrador, the ban there remains in full effect.
No full return until Monday
Over the next 48 hours, essential personnel and their families are being invited to return to Labrador City, but for the time being, that’s it.
Furey says it’s “just common sense”.
“We will be starting with, as you could predict, healthcare workers, goods and services and then everybody to support those who are returning,” says Furey.
“In order to establish a community size of Lab City, we need to make sure that the hospital is up and running and that we can really look after people, should they get sick.”
Until noon on Monday, only healthcare workers, grocery store workers, essential town staff and essential Iron Ore Company of Canada employees are permitted back in the town.
WATCH | Premier Andrew Furey outlines who can return to Labrador City:
At a news conference Saturday in Labrador City, Premier Andrew Furey said weather conditions and firefighting efforts have brought the fire near the town under control. While essential workers can return over the next 48 hours, Furey has asked everyone else to be patient.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary are conducting checkpoints along Route 500 of the Trans-Labrador Highway to ensure only essential workers are returning.
Police advised essential workers to be prepared to present employer identification while travelling.
“All other drivers will be turned around,” the RNC said on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.
To determine if your employer has deemed you an essential worker, call 709-729-3830 or 1-833-845-0775.
The line will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m..
Furey said after healthcare workers return, the next priority is for the return of patients.
He anticipates a full lift of the evacuation order by noon on Monday.
“We just hope that as patient as people have been, and they have been incredibly patient despite the stress and anxiety, that they continue to just give us another two days and then things will things will get back to being being normal.”
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
