‘Do not come here’ warns N.L. official as crews battle wildfire

A fire is shown burning near Badger, N.L., in this handout photo taken on Tuesday June 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department

Firefighters near Badger, N.L. are successfully holding back flames from crossing a key river and approaching the community.

The Pamehac Brook North wildfire remains 600 metres away from Badger, in part due to some helpful rain and fire crews who’ve been working to halt the advance of the flames.

“Everyone was a little more at ease last night,” said Jeff Motty, the Supervisor of Forest Protection for Newfoundland and Labrador government. “They were watching very closely for those things, and they were happy to report back last night that it didn’t cross.”

The large Exploits River is an important choke point for firefighters. Motty explained that if flames did cross, they’d have good fuel — trees — to burn, and a much easier path to homes and businesses in Badger.

“It would just pick up and continue and then run towards the community,” Motty said.

“We did a lot of structure protection in and around the community. Firefighters wetted down the vegetation.”

The town’s evacuation order remains in effect Thursday afternoon. It was issued Wednesday, just after 12 p.m. by N.L. Premier John Hogan.

Badger’s volunteer fire department, as well as the RCMP, are patrolling the community throughout the day. The town council posted on Facebook that all homes are safe.

“If you do not have to be near the town of Badger, do not come here,” Chris Tibbs, the MHA who represents the area and neighbouring communities in Newfoundland and Labrador’s House of Assembly, told his constituents in a Facebook video just after noon on Thursday. “We have a heavy RCMP presence on the highway, and it’s essential personnel only at this time.”

“Do not hamper the operations today by coming here if you do not need to.”

Lisa Dempster, the province’s Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, told constituents in an update on Facebook Thursday morning that although the fire didn’t grow overnight, officials still needed to see more positive news throughout the day before they could consider lifting the evacuation order.

“No perimeter growth overnight. That’s wonderful news, but the fire is still very hot, and they still have a lot of work to do today,” she wrote.

After ordering Wednesday’s evacuation, Premier John Hogan travelled to the Joe Byrne Arena in Grand Falls-Windsor, the registration centre for Badger evacuees, and spoke with some of the Red Cross personnel.

“In an emergency, you can be sure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are there to help in any way they can,” he wrote on Facebook.

“The response in Grand Falls-Windsor and surrounding towns to assist evacuees was incredible and I thank them for their quick action and continued support of their neighbours.”

As of Thursday morning, almost 600 evacuees from Badger had registered with the Red Cross in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Officials believe the fire broke out Tuesday evening after a lightning strike. It’s grown to 650 hectares in size. Water bombers and ground crews have been tasked to fight the fire.

Badger Mayor Dennis Butt remained in the community, along with members of the fire department. He said despite the positive developments, he, his staff and first responders are remaining focused.

“We know this has improved from yesterday, but the fact is it’s still an active fire, it’s still critical,” he said.

Although the vast majority of Badger residents have fled their homes, Butt said a few have decided to remain — in face of the evacuation order.

“We want everyone to comply with those orders,” he said Thursday. He said town officials are consistently checking in with those who’ve decided to remain and urging them to heed the advice from government officials and head to Grand Falls-Windsor.

“Even if people feel that there’s no imminent safety (threat) currently, this is an ever-changing situation.”

There is a noticeable decrease in the amount of smoke pouring into the community today, Butt said.