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."