People in central Newfoundland say they are prepared but not panicked as fires continue to burn

Charlotte Foster was camping on Saturday and received news that her town, Grand Falls Windsor, was in a state of emergency.

"I went straight home to pack everything just in case, because I don't know if the wind will change," Foster told CBC News in an interview Monday.

Two forest fires have been out of control for several weeks near Bishop's Falls and Grand Falls Windsor. Fireon weekends , on due to hot, dry and windy conditions and unpredictability of fire behavior Intensified.

It's an uncertain situation where Foster stirs her nerves.

"A lot of anxiety. A lot of anxiety," she said. "At the same time, we need to be calm and keep everything right. Hopefully everything will work," she said.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador declared an emergency on Bishop's Falls, Grand Falls Windsor and the Conaigre Peninsula on Saturday and added the town of Botwood on Sunday.

'Very scary'

Madison Entre, who lives in Bishops Falls, talked with her friends and her family about her destination if she had to escape, she said. .. When her evacuation order arrives, she heads to the island's East Court to spend time with her friends.

"The wind is constantly changing, so people really are on their toes and don't know what to expect," she said. "I'm very scared."

Entre will move to Toronto for school this fall but she is ready to leave early if needed She said.

Grand Falls-Windsor resident Alannovtor said the situation began to become a reality after seeing Prime Minister Andrew Furley's state of emergency on Saturday night. .. In a video posted on social media, Fury explained that the fire was the worst the state had seen since 1961, saying that an evacuation order was not imminent. , People should be ready to go soon. t notification.

Noftall said the people at Grand Falls-Windsor were nervous.

"I don't think people can believe it," he said. "I've had a fire near the community before, but it's not that big."

Novtor said he was full and knew where to go if he had to leave — "as they say :'Go to the young man in the west.' "

' Pretty good shape'

At Bishops Falls, Bill Milly is helping the community relatively well I said they were gathering. He is a member of a local Lions club and is working to raise funds and help travelers stuck due to the ongoing Baydespower highway closure.

The road, which is an important link to the Konaigre Peninsula, was closed on Monday for four consecutive days, and authorities fired two fires near the highway. I warned you. And Paradise Lake has grown — though they didn't merge, as feared over the weekend. Central Health moved some patients and caregivers over the weekend due to the high smoke. This also hampered efforts to fight the fire.

But there was some good news in the area on Monday — the Canadian Environment Ministry lifted the air quality warning as the wind changed and smoke was blown out of the town. A small amount of rain is expected to be on Tuesday.

"I think we're just blessed," Millie said. "Someone is looking for us — and it's not me."

Millie said she was ready to leave soon, but hopes it won't happen.

"I don't feel any threat to the fire here in the bishop. Smoke is the only problem," he said.

Millie said he hopes the tide will begin fire fighting and the community will be able to return to normal.

"I think it's in pretty good shape right now. We'll see improvements in the next few days."

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