Severe wildfire seasons are posing significant public safety risks in Newfoundland and Labrador, impacting routine operations in rural and remote areas, particularly geoscience activities crucial for the mining industry.
The wildfires are causing work areas to become inaccessible for safety concerns and leading to the diversion of aircraft meant for transporting scientists to instead aid in wildfire response efforts. This situation has added complexity to the planning and scheduling of scientific programs, according to the responsible minister.
In the previous year, the actual transportation expenditure by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for geophysical survey work by the Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador was $321,800 lower than the allocated budget. Minister Lloyd Parrott explained that this difference was primarily due to reduced helicopter usage resulting from the unavailability caused by wildfires.
While scientists occasionally utilize drones in their fieldwork, helicopters are essential, especially in remote Labrador areas where land travel is limited. Disruptions in helicopter travel can occur due to adverse weather conditions like high winds, cloud cover, or fog, in addition to wildfire-related reassignments.
Despite the challenges posed by wildfires, the geological survey’s operations continue to progress. Ongoing projects, some jointly funded with the federal government, include data gathering in southeastern Labrador for potential rare earth elements and a geophysical survey in the White Bay region.
The Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador is currently engaged in ten active field projects, with a focus on six areas in Newfoundland and four in Labrador. Additionally, there are two planned airborne surveys utilizing fixed-wing aircraft as part of the scientific program.
The province is experiencing record-high levels of private investment in exploration work, with a forecasted expenditure of $283.3 million for the year, marking an increase from the previous year. The industry is adapting to wildfire disruptions by adjusting field seasons, although projects are generally proceeding as planned due to sector agility.
Mining Industry N.L. executive director Amanda McCallum highlighted the importance of public geoscience in driving investment, de-risking projects, and informing decision-making processes. She emphasized the invaluable role of public geoscience in spurring exploration activities and accelerating discoveries.
Mining, the second-largest contributor to the province’s GDP, directly employs around 8,920 individuals, including those engaged in exploration work. As of the latest report, the wildfire risk level across reported areas in Newfoundland and Labrador remains low, with a few active fires in certain regions of Labrador. The number of fires this year is lower than in the previous year, but the total burnt area in hectares is higher.
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