Province Provides Late Day Update on Musgrave Harbour Fire
As of 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, the Evacuation Order for Musgrave Harbour remains in place.
In a statement issued this afternoon, the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture acknowledged the difficulty residents are facing:
“The Department understands how difficult and stressful this evacuation is for the residents of Musgrave Harbour.”
While recent rainfall has offered some hope, officials say conditions on the ground remain too dangerous to allow residents to return home.
“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.”
Fire behaviour specialists are still observing a large number of hot spots, smoldering ground fire, and flare ups — particularly along the edge of the fire closest to the town. This portion of the fire is burning in the ground, in areas of peat, tree roots, and under the forest canopy where rain was less effective.
The department explains that:
“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.”
Before recommending the evacuation order be lifted, forestry officials say the following conditions must be met:
Ground crews must extinguish the majority of hot spots and active fire near Musgrave Harbour
Fire weather conditions must not indicate a very high or extreme Fire Weather Index
Fire behaviour analysis must show no potential for spread toward the town
To meet these conditions, the Department currently has six ground crews in two divisions working the northern fire edge, supported by three helicopters and water bombers targeting hot spots and flare ups.
The Department emphasized:
“The department 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.”
Officials closed by thanking residents for their continued cooperation:
“We thank the residents of Musgrave Harbour for their patience, support and cooperation as we work diligently to get you home safely.”
Hope we get rain to help with this fire and get it uncontrolled
I assume you meant Thursday, July 24.
Whats most important is for everyone to stay safe. Praying that the rain in the forecast helps to keep the fire contained and people can return home.
Prayers going your way come on rain
Prayers for fain
Thank you Eddie
Praying all will be over soon and residents can return 🏡 🏠 home 🙏
Thank you Eddie. I love that I get these updates. I do not have to go searching for weather updates everyday. Thinking about the people of Musgrave Harbour 💕
Thank you!
Thanks
Love this app Eddie!!
Thank you to all those helping at this time due to the fires , and thank you to the first responders especially the firefighters who are right out into the field in fighting these fires from air and below on the ground, be safe stay safe ,