A forest fire in northeastern Canada that forced the evacuation of more than 9,000 people a week ago is now under control, allowing those displaced to begin returning home, authorities said Saturday.
The risk to the towns of Labrador City and Wabush is now “very low,” Premier Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador province told reporters.
“We’re breathing another sigh of relief here,” he said.
“As a result, we’re in the good position today to be able to partially lift the evacuation order” for what he called the “largest evacuation in provincial history.”
For now, only workers deemed essential — hospital employees, supermarket workers and government staff — will be allowed back as they prepare for the return of the remaining evacuees beginning Monday, he said.
The evacuation had been challenging. Residents from this remote region had to travel 300 miles (500 kilometers) to reach safety on the lone available road.
While the fire situation in eastern Canada is …