(Bay dEspoir Freeway via Department of Transportation.) Things went from bad to worse in the Bay d’Espoir Highway area of central Newfoundland early yesterday afternoon after several days of hot and dry weather. The highway was closed but has since reopened. Department of Forestry Fire Marshal Jeff Motty says mother nature is tough to fight, but they got all crews safely out of the area after the fire changed intensity. The smoke plume built up significantly, reducing visibility and limiting firefighters’ ability to see what was going on. Wind was also a factor. They are currently assessing the situation. (Fire at Carbonear.) Meanwhile, the Veterans Memorial Highway has reopened as fire crews battled a fire in Carbonear last night that caused some worrisome moments because of the proximity to homes and businesses. Around 5:00 p.m., emergency crews were called to Carbonear where a fire had broken out near the Dairy Queen and Earle’s Riding Horses at the top of the hill. The highway was closed for several hours as a water bomber had to be called in to put out the flames. Businesses were not damaged, but residents were stranded in the area until the fire was extinguished about six hours after it broke out. Motty says they made progress and will be back at it today. They installed pipes in about 10 percent of the perimeter. As the fire burned in the heart of Carbonear, personnel and equipment were called in from other areas.
