Forest fire on the Bay d’Espoir Highway continues to burn out of control

Stock photo

UPDATE: The highway has since reopened.

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Earlier Story

The forest fire on the Bay d’Espoir Highway continues to burn out of control.

The fire has now increased in size and covers 1006 hectares but remains away from communities.

At this time the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture has deployed three water bombers, two helicopters, 24 personnel, and one pump unit.

Crews will begin escorting traffic through when conditions allow. Officials will move one side of the route at a time. The barricades remain at the 40K and the 62K marks on the highway.

Smoke continues to be a challenge and the public is asked to avoid the area.

The forest fire risk is high in the area.

Some rain is possible in the area on Wednesday and Saturday but only about 5 mm is expected.