Essential supplies are reportedly being provided by helicopters to southern Newfoundland towns cut off from the rest of the island by two out-of-control forest fires.
The provincial Department of Transportation said late Monday night that goods had been transported that day to the Coast of Bays area, which includes a large aquaculture farm in the town of St. Alban’s.
According to a news release, two helicopters had also begun bringing goods to the town of Harbour Breton, and that they would continue to do so until the emergency ended.
The only highway connecting the towns on Newfoundland’s southern Connaigre Peninsula with the rest of the province has been shut down due to two fires with an area totaling over 160 square kilometers.
The fires have been burning for over two weeks and the remote Bay d’Espoir highway hasn’t opened up since last Thursday morning.
Bill Blair, Federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness said in a tweet Monday night that aid for the wildfire response has been expanded and that more resources will be deployed as conditions allow.
#Newfoundlandtowns#ragingforestfires; #helicopters
