A lot of work goes into helping evacuated Badger residents — and their pets
Fire crews optimistic they can further tackle fire on Friday
People in Grand Falls-Windsor have spent the last two days supporting residents of nearby Badger as they've had to flee from an out of control wildfire — both humans and animals.
Nearly 800 people have registered with the Canadian Red Cross for support at the Joe Byrne Memorial Stadium, where they can access things like food, hydration, shelter and more.
Some pets have also been able to stay at the stadium, but the local SPCA has also stepped up to make sure four-legged family members are looked after.
"Everybody was setting up cages, and just trying to make people feel as comfortable and confident that their pets would be OK with us," Sarah McLeod, social media liaison of the Exploits Valley SPCA, told CBC News Thursday.
"We were really lucky that a lot of them went out in foster, actually. A lot of our dogs managed to find foster homes to go for the night to feel a bit better."
McLeod said both pets and their owners found it challenging to be separated from each other. Staff at the SPCA were at the shelter until almost midnight on Wednesday to make sure animals were calm and situated.
She added she's been blown away by how many people have offered to house animals temporarily, both near and far.
"It's been overwhelming how many people from Grand Falls, from everywhere," she said. "As far as Clarenville and St. John's … people in their personal homes, everyone reaching out being like, 'I'm here if you need me'. It's been so nice."
Evacuees in good spirits as conditions improve
The director of Newfoundland and Labrador's wildfire response program said Thursday evening conditions continued to improve.
"This fire is still very active, still plenty of hotspots, still plenty of smoke around. But in terms of fire behaviour, it's certainly reduced from what we saw [Wednesday]," Craig Coady told CBC News Thursday evening.
Coady said crews will be able to attack the northeastern edge of the fire on Friday, along with the northern tip — the area closest to the community of Badger.
"We're going to get a crew in there [Friday] and start working some of those really tough hotspots that are burned really deep," he said.
"What we're looking for is our ground crews to really make some good headway. And credit to them, 'cause the reports are that they made some really fantastic headway."
Although conditions have improved, Coady said it's still too early to tell when residents could return to Badger.
Bernice Paul, a Red Cross volunteer of 47 years, said volunteers are hard at work to make sure people are looked after in Grand Falls-Windsor. She's been helping provide three meals a day and making sure everyone is supported.
"The mood is actually really good. People are [here], and you know, they're really thankful to be here," Paul said Thursday.
"They're thankful that the volunteers, the government, and everyone is here for them."
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With files from Henrike Wilhelm