Residents of Musgrave Harbour, NL, ordered to evacuate July 20 as wildfire now located about two kilometres from townPublished Jul 20, 2025Last updated 53 minutes ago4 minute readThis photo, taken by Roger Jordan Hicks and shared on Facebook, shows the fast-moving fire threatening Musgrave Harbour, NL, July 20. Photo by Roger Jordan Hicks/FacebookArticle contentA mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Musgrave Harbour and a nearby campground as a wildfire threatens the town.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe order includes Banting Memorial Park Campground, located near the town.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentThe town issued a state of emergency Sunday morning, July 20, that required immediate evacuation.Article content“Due to an active wildfire, a state of emergency has been declared by the Town of Musgrave Harbour. Mandatory Evacuation Order, ALL persons located within the area the Town of Musgrave Harbour are ordered to evacuate immediately, unless otherwise directed by the fire department, town officials, or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP),” it reads.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentAs of the evacuation alert, which was issued at 9:30 a.m., the wildfire was approximately two kilometres from the community.Article contentArticle contentMusgrave Harbour is located on the northeast coast of the province, about 90 kilometres from Gander. About 1,000 people reside in the community.Article contentWaterbomber on siteWater bomber on scene only taking minutes to fill and back to the fire. These guys are the best and the firefighters and policePosted by Roger Jordan Hicks on Sunday, July 20, 2025Article contentThe community had been under an evacuation alert since late last night after a fire broke out in the Pine Pond area, located southwest of the community.Article contentThe fire grew overnight thanks to strong winds, prompting the evacuation order early Sunday morning.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentWildfire suppression resources are in place and three waterbombers and a helicopter are working the wildfire this morning, according to the provincial government.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentWhat should evacuees do?Article contentA reception centre has been set up at Steele Memorial Centre, 155 Airport Boulevard, in Gander for evacuees. All evacuees must register with Canadian Red Cross upon arrival at Steele Memorial Centre.Article contentThe Canadian Red Cross will also be able to assist those who require emergency accommodations.Article contentBusing transportation has been arranged for anyone who needs support.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentMany people are already offering help to anyone who is evacuating.Article contentWith the fire evacuation for musgrave harbour , I have a big piece of property for anyone that wanted to bring camper or…Posted by Tyler Harvey on Sunday, July 20, 2025Article contentArticle content‼️‼️‼️if anyone in the Musgrave Harbour Area needs livestock moved due to the fire please call or message myself or Patrick KeanPosted by Dana Blackmore on Sunday, July 20, 2025Article contentAnyone who needs livestock moved due to the fire in Musgrave harbour please don’t hesitate to message or call. 709-597-3310 Share please.Posted by Ashley Lynch on Sunday, July 20, 2025Article contentArticle contentThe Gander SPCA is offering space for pets of Musgrave Harbour residents that are evacuating.Article content“We are providing emergency pet accommodations at our shelter. If you require this service, please contact us at 709-651-3002. We will provide support to the best of our abilities. Please do not leave your pets behind.”Article contentOthers sent sympathies and best wishes for residents who have been impacted.Article contentThe Town of Dover, which is close by, wrote on social media, “Our community is sending our best to Town of Musgrave Harbour and the surrounding areas at this most difficult time, we do understand the stress level that you are going through, please take caution and stay safe everyone.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThoughts are with the town of Musgrave Harbour as a wildfire approaches and an emergency alert as been issued!Posted by Bev Colson on Sunday, July 20, 2025Article contentBonavista MHA Craig Pardy posted, “What a Terrible stretch we collectively find ourselves in! BEST wishes to Town of Musgrave Harbour! Provincial fire fighting resources are stretched.”Article contentIF under Evacuation Order – NOTE- WILL LIKELY trigger Additional Living Expenses (ALE) which is usually STANDARD for all…Posted by Craig Pardy on Sunday, July 20, 2025Article contentArticle content“My heart hurts for our beautiful wilderness of a province. For all the people losing their homes, cabins and belongings. I’m crossing my fingers for rain and no winds but the current forecast is for the winds to push the fire our way,” wrote Sam Jeannie Kim on Facebook Saturday night.Article contentKim later posted on Sunday morning, “Thank god for the pilots and crews and all the firefighters trying to save our little piece of paradise. Keep us in your thoughts and send good rain-y vibes,” while sharing a video taken by Giselle Hicks of water bombers in the Musgrave Harbour area.Article contentBeyond thankful to see these guys! 👏Posted by Giselle Hicks on Sunday, July 20, 2025Article contentArticle contentBusy fire seasonArticle contentThe 2025 season has seen significantly more forest fires than usual, with 173 wildfires to date — last year saw 97, with the average hovering around that number for the past six years.Article contentThe Chance Harbour Fire, which destroyed many cabins in Puddin Cove and surrounding areas, continues to blaze out-of-control and has now spread to 1,660 hectares. It remains the province’s largest fire so far this season.Article contentAs of Sunday morning, the Lethbridge and Area Service District said the nearby communities of Winter Brook and Jamestown weren’t currently at risk of the Chance Harbour Fire as the winds were in a southwesterly direction.Article content“The water bombers have been diverted to Musgrave Harbour but we still have helicopters dropping water at Chance Harbour,” it posted on Facebook around 10:30 a.m. Sunday.Article content“There is a high expectation of increased fire activity today in the Chance Harbour area. All models show a very active and fast moving fire in that area away from the communities.”Article contentChance Harbour Road remains closed to all traffic.Article contentThe provincial forestry department said late morning on July 20 that residents can expect to see significant smoke from the southern end of the fire in Chance Harbour. Article contentThree helicopters are working on suppressing the fire today and will focus on the protection of threatened cabins, while the Incident Management Team remains focused on Chance Harbour. Ground crews will be redeployed once it is safe to do so.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentA fire at Nine Island Pond, on Random Island, which broke out Saturday, July 19, is also considered out-of-control and now covers two hectares. While fire suppression efforts had slowed the fire as of suppertime Saturday, cabins in the area were evacuated as a precaution.Article contentA fire ban remains in effect across the province due to the extreme risk of fires.Article contentArticle contentArticle content
DEVELOPING Musgrave Harbour residents ordered to evacuate as wildfire approaches town
