Fire ban declared in Labrador
A fire ban has been declared for Labrador in accordance with Section 99 of the Forestry Act due to extensive wildfire activity, as well as elevated Fire Weather Index ratings in the region. The ban is effective immediately and will be in effect until July 13.
Permits to burn grass, brush or other materials are cancelled and fireworks and sky lanterns are banned.
Wood-fueled fires are not permitted on forest land, within 300 metres of forest land, or on land that contains flammable vegetation during a fire ban.
- Forest land includes any area where natural vegetation grows, such as forests, yards, fields, parks, paths, greenbelts, dry marsh, bogland, and barrens.
- Flammable vegetation includes living or dead plant material that may easily ignite, sustain combustion, and enable the spread of fire.
Gas or propane-fueled units such as barbecues may be used during a fire ban if operated safely. Use extra caution if there is anything flammable nearby.
Enclosed smoker units or structures used for food preservation are permitted.
Anyone travelling through forest land on an all-terrain or motorized vehicle is always required to have the vehicle fitted with a muffler and a screening or baffling device to prevent sparks or particles of burnt carbon from escaping. Vehicles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher containing a minimum of 225 grams of ABC-class fire retardant.
Use of gas, kerosene, alcohol, propane or charcoal-burning units is permitted only if the units are not used within 3.5 metres of any trees, brush or other flammable material. Operators must carry a fire extinguisher with a minimum of 225 grams of ABC-class dry chemical when travelling in grassy or wooded areas.
Coals used while barbecuing, or as part of any other burning unit, must be extinguished before being safely discarded.
During periods of dangerous wildfire risk, the Provincial Government may declare regional or provincial fire bans to help protect residents, communities and natural resources and avoid diverting crucial wildfire fighting resources from areas experiencing higher wildfire risk or active fires.
For more information regarding the fire ban, contact your local Forest Management District Office. Violating a fire ban can result in minimum penalties of $50,000.
Information on the Fire Weather Index, regulations, fire bans, and active wildfires is available at gov.nl.ca/fal/wildfiremanagement/
To report a wildfire, call: 1-866-709-FIRE (3473).
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