2 days ago
Connaigre Peninsula towns left 'in a pickle' by Bay d'Espoir Highway closure
Some people were unable to return to their Connaigre Peninsula homes this week, after the out-of-control Martin Lake wildfire forced the closure of the Bay d'Espoir Highway.
The route is the only link to the Trans-Canada Highway for the region, but towns put plans in place so residents could still get goods and services.
Premier John Hogan said the highway will likely be closed for the next few days.
The Martin Lake wildfire was 2,160 hectares in size as of Friday morning.
It was located about 16 kilometres south of Grand Falls-Windsor, and about 140 metres from the Bay d'Espoir Highway.
Contingency plans
Harbour Breton Mayor Lloyd Blake said there were plans in place to help vulnerable residents leave the community, if necessary.
"We have helicopters to take people out of here if the need arises."
If the highway closure lasts an extended period of time, Blake said the town will implement a plan to get food and medical supplies into the community by boat.
Helicopters, boats on standby
St. Alban's Mayor Gerard Murphy said people travel along the highway to get to and from appointments, and to get supplies.
"We live by the sea, so we have boats that can evacuate us, if possible," Murphy said.
He said people in the community who need cancer treatment and dialysis were in contact with the health authority to arrange transportation by helicopter.
Meanwhile, Murphy said the town was also running low on some supplies, such as fuel and fresh food.
'In a pickle'
Stuck outside the highway's closure was Wreck Cove resident, Daniel Bungay. He travelled to Grand Falls-Windsor for a dentist appointment on Tuesday, and couldn't return home.
"There was talk of the road being closed all weekend, and we didn't really bother it because it was talk, and it didn't close and yesterday we got stranded," Bungay told CBC News.
"We had to go to the mall, get clothes, go get body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes. We had to get everything. We never brought nothing with us. We only planned to come in for the day," Bungay said.
He said he could still get home, but he would have to drive east to the Burin Peninsula and take a boat to Wreck Cove — leaving his vehicle behind until the highway reopens.
"It leaves you in a pickle," he said."I got friends in here also that's stranded from out my way, and they're not getting to work."
Emergency services were available through the Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army for people outside the road closure who were unable to return home.
