“Evacuation orders issued as fire threatens Lethbridge area”

Residents in the Bayview area of Lethbridge, Newfoundland and Labrador, are facing evacuation orders due to a fire near the Sexton Lumber sawmill on Route 233. The evacuation extends from Oldford’s Hill to Southwest Bridge and Forest Drive, with Anthony Paddon Elementary set up as an evacuation center. Emergency services, including RCMP and Ground Search and Rescue, are actively responding in the affected area. Route 233 is currently closed in both directions, and residents are urged to follow instructions from first responders. Water bombers are on the scene combating the fire, as confirmed by local authorities and eyewitness reports. Local fire departments and the Department of Forestry are also mobilized to address the situation. Kayla Dillon, a resident of Lethbridge, expressed fear and urgency as she and her family evacuated their home, with the fire only about a kilometer and a half away. The situation is evolving rapidly, prompting heightened concern among residents and emergency responders as they work to contain the fire and ensure the safety of the community.