Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey says the blaze grew Friday from six square kilometres to about 100 square kilometres, advancing by 21 kilometres in just four hours.
The fire that forced thousands out of their homes in Labrador City Friday night was gently smoldering and under control this week, but a sudden change in conditions caused it to explode into “an extremely aggressive inferno,” Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier said Saturday.
“We hope that the winds change later this evening, and we are praying for rain,” Furey told reporters during a video conference call from Labrador. There were more than 1,000 cars on the road, Furey said. Pictures on social media showed lineups of hundreds of cars waiting to get into Churchill Falls, in central Labrador, which is the only spot along the way to refuel.Cindy Michelin, co-owner of Strickland’s Auto and Gas in Churchill Falls, said they stayed open all night to serve all those people.
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