A large number of hotspots and groundfire continues, keeping residents of Musgrave Harbour from going homePublished Jul 24, 20253 minute readThere are two active wildfires on the island portion of the province in Musgrave Harbour and Chance Harbour. A third fire is burning in Labrador. Photo by NL Fire ServiceArticle contentNow in their fifth day away from home, residents of Musgrave Harbour will have to continue to wait before it’s safe to go back to their community.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 contentResidents were ordered to evacuate Sunday morning after a wildfire ignited near the community of about 1,000 residents late on Saturday, July 19.Article contentArticle contentThe fire, which grew rapidly Sunday, threatened the town and a nearby campground, with officials worried it would cross the highway Sunday night.Article contentArticle contentHowever, although it’s grown to 1,660 hectares — the second-largest fire so far this season, behind only the still-burning Chance Harbour fire that destroyed numerous cabins in the Puddin’ Cove area — it’s remained about two kilometres from Musgrave Harbour and hasn’t crossed the road.Article contentLate afternoon on Thursday, July 24, the province gave an update saying the evacuation order would remain in place until certain conditions could be met.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe province said it understands how difficult and stressful this evacuation is for the residents of Musgrave Harbour.Article contentArticle content“Fire crews are working relentlessly to get people back home,” the province said in its statement on social media.Article content“We understand that the recent rainfall has given residents hope for a quick end to the evacuation order. Unfortunately, the unprecedented drought conditions that allowed the fire to start and grow so quickly have also reduced the effect of the rain on the fire.”Article contentFire behaviour experts, the province said, are still seeing a very large number of hot spots, smoldering ground fire, and small flare-ups along the edge of the fire closest to town.Article content“The fire is in the ground, around peat areas, tree roots, and is particularly active anywhere that the trees protected the groundfire from the rain,” the province said.Article content“This very active fire edge is only about two kilometres from the town, and the forest, grass, and caribou moss between the fire and the town has dried very rapidly. These conditions combine to keep the risk to the community above acceptable levels.”Article contentBefore provincial forestry officials are prepared to recommend the end of the evacuation order, the province said the following conditions must be met:Article contentGround crews must have extinguished the majority of active fire/hot spots along the edge closest to Musgrave Harbour.The forecast does not predict a very high or extreme Fire Weather Index.Fire behaviour analysis shows no potential for spread towards Musgrave Harbour.Article contentCurrently, the department has six ground crews in two divisions working the northern fire edge closest to town, as well as three helicopters that are bucketing, and water bombers are soaking down hot spots and flare-ups as needed.Article contentArticle content“The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture will not recommend an end to the evacuation order until the Forestry Incident Management Team is confident in their ability to contain the fire, and there is no risk to the community,” the province said.Article content“We thank the residents of Musgrave Harbour for their patience, support and cooperation as we work diligently to get you home safely.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentRoute 330 remains closed between the road to Aspen Cove and A Days Getaway RV Park due to the wildfire in Musgrave Harbour. The public is asked to avoid the area.Article contentThe town also reminded residents that no one was permitted to enter Musgrave Harbour.Article content“There are strict RCMP-protected checkpoints and barricades in place. Absolutely no one will be allowed through, regardless of reason. This is for your safety and the safety of first responders. Do not attempt to bypass or approach these checkpoints — you will be turned away immediately,” the town said via social media.Article contentArticle contentTown council added that “the wildfire near our community remains critical, extremely active, and out of control,” and reminded residents that efforts were being made to ensure properties remained safe.Article content“We want to reassure you that RCMP officers and the Musgrave Harbour Fire Department are conducting regular patrols throughout the night to protect all residential and business properties,” town council said in its post. “We sincerely thank everyone for your patience, understanding, and cooperation during this challenging time.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentMusgrave Harbour resident Grant Abbott is advocating for residents of the town to receive financial support from the province. He says it’s the provincial government’s responsibility to issue support for residents and is collecting names of others who may be facing hardship as a result of the fire evacuation.Article contentArticle contentCurrently, there are three active wildfires in the province, and all three are deemed out-of-control. In addition to the Musgrave Harbour and Chance Harbour fires, a fire continued to burn near the Churchill River in Labrador in Wikokapu. That fire is now covering 256 hectares.Article contentArticle contentArticle content
Evacuation continues July 24 for Musgrave Harbour residents as wildfire persists
