Fire ban lifted across Newfoundland, still in place in parts of Labrador

A fire ban that was in place across Newfoundlandhas been lifted, but as wildfires are still burning in parts of Labrador, the prohibition on lighting fires remainsin effect forsome areas.

Premier Andrew Furey announced the fire ban for the island and parts of Labrador on June 27 in an effort to concentrate efforts on existing wildfires.

In Labrador, setting fires in the forest orwithin 300 metres of forest is still prohibited.

"Significant firefighting resources have recently been dedicated to wildfire suppression impacting the community of Churchill Falls," said a statement fromDepartment of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture spokesperson Linda Skinner on Friday morning.

"The outdoor fire ban will continue to help reduce the wildfire risk in Labrador and support the efforts of wildfire suppression teams actioning active fires."

The lifting of the ban comes after an announcement Thursday of firework bans from the St. John's regional fire department which covers St. John's, Mount Pearl and Paradise along with the City of Corner Brook and Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay,squashing plans for Canada Daycelebrations.

A few hours after the provincial government lifted the ban, the St. John's regional fire department announced it was also rescinding its fire banand allowing fireworks.

According toNewfoundland and Labrador's wildfire dashboard, there are nine fires in Labrador on Friday morning down from Thursday morning's count of 10.

Theban doesn't apply togas, kerosene, alcohol, propane or charcoal burning units, as long as they'renot used within 3metres of woods, brush or other flammable material.

The provincialstatement also says charcoal fires need extra care to ensure they are totally extinguished and not handled in a way that could start a fire.

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