Timeline still unknown for Badger residents to return home
A wildfire is still burning out of control near the community of Badger, N.L. on Friday, while residents restlessly wait for the green light to return home.
But the mayor says he is optimistic that efforts to battle the blaze are having a positive impact.
The fire started Tuesday and prompted an evacuation order by the province, forcing hundreds of people to flee the area to nearby Grand Falls-Windsor. The fire has since burned 1,180 hectares.
"[We're] feeling a lot better today than yesterday, and yesterday was a lot better than the day before. Fire crews have done an amazing job," Mayor Dennis Butt told CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning on Friday.
Butt said he's hoping to get further good news in his next update from provincial officials. Premier John Hogan is speaking to reporters at 1 p.m. NT.
"The fire's still active, it's still critical and the state of emergency as well as the evacuation order is still in effect," he said.
As of Friday morning, the provincial fire hazard maps lists the area as low risk of fire — a downgrade over the course of the week where the area had been ranked as extreme risk of fire.
Hogan, speaking to reporters on Friday morning, said the fire has not changed much in the last 24 to 48 hours, which he called good news.
"It was certainly a very scary situation a couple of days ago," he said. "Right now we're still monitoring the situation."
Hogan said weather conditions have been improving and more rain is expected in the forecast.
At the moment, the risk is low that the fire will jump the Exploits River.
"But as we know, things can change very fast," said Hogan.
Hogan wasn't able to say when the evacuation order could be lifted, and said he understands the situation is stressful.
"I would just say to them — always better safe than sorry," he said.
Hogan said advice is taken from the province's fire behaviour specialist, who will make a recommendation on when people can return to the community.
While an evacuation order was issued on Wednesday, some people decided to stay in the community. Butt said he's encouraging them to leave.
"There's still a very low number of residents who chose to stay. The RCMP went door to door again late yesterday and just emphasized the fact that, you know, there is a state of emergency in effect," he said.
Butt said they don't want to put firefighters in unnecessary risk if they have to help people evacuate in case the wildfire does reach the community.
Residents who did evacuate say they are feeling the stress, but they feel supported by neighbouring communities and organizations.
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