Latest news with #ChanceHarbour
CBC
5 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Wet, humid weather helps crews battle out-of-control wildfires, says fire duty officer
As the weather turns wet and humid, firefighters will be on the ground to battle the out-of-control wildfires threatening two Newfoundland communities, says the provincial fire duty officer. Wes Morgan said the area around Chance Harbour did get the anticipated rainfall crews expected Monday, which is having a "real, positive impact" on fighting the fire. "Bad weather makes good firefighting weather," Morgan told CBC. "Relative humidity and the weather that's out there right now is really helping to keep that fire at bay and really giving us an opportunity to really do some real firefighting out there." Up to 22 firefighters are on the ground Tuesday, laying down hoses and putting out pumps. He added they will still have aerial support. The provincial wildfire dashboard lists the Chance Harbour fire at 1,820 hectares in size, an increase from Monday by 20 hectares. Morgan said he's hoping the fire remains stable, allowing firefighters to get into the area. The Ragged Harbour fire, which prompted the community of Musgrave Harbour to evacuate over the weekend, is now reported to be 1,660 hectares. While the fire has previously been recorded as 1,800 hectares, Morgan said it has not shrunk. "That fire was a very fast moving fire during the onset and there was a lot of smoke in the area. So in the last day or so, with some of that smoke dissipating, we're able to get a much finer detail on the area map itself," said Morgan. He said the fire is still two kilometres from town. There will be many firefighters working there on the ground, he said, who will focus on the fire's northern flank, which is the area closest to the town. He added there will be crews putting down hoses and pumps on the eastern and western side for fire suppression work. "That is the plan for today," said Morgan. Morgan said he could not give residents an estimate on when they would be able to return to Musgrave Harbour or Chance Harbour. Morgan said the province-wide fire ban is still in effect.
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
‘It's devastating': More cabins destroyed in Chance Harbour fire, area resident says
The Chance Harbour fire was still burning out of control on Friday when the CBC's Carolyn Stokes spoke with area resident Ryan Pitts. He said it's been a devastating week for cabin owners.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Crews working to contain wildfire that has damaged cabins in Newfoundland
A wildfire is seen burning in this handout photo near cabins in the Chance Harbour, N.L. area on Monday, July 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Dawn Gough ST. JOHN'S — Crews are working to contain an out-of-control wildfire on Newfoundland's east coast that has damaged several cabins. Provincial fire duty officer Wesley Morgan says it's too soon to assess the extent of the destruction in the Chance Harbour area, along Bonavista Bay. However, photos and videos on social media suggest some cabins have been destroyed. Morgan says three water bombers and three helicopters are expected to spend the day dousing the fire's southern end to keep neighbouring communities out of its reach. Courtney Russell lives in Winter Brook, N.L., one of two towns just south of the flames, and she is ready to evacuate. With no rain in the forecast until Monday, Russell says she is preparing for an emotional weekend waiting for news and watching the smoke. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025. The Canadian Press
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Heartbreak': Out-of-control N.L. wildfire continues to burn, many cabins lost
Newfoundland and Labrador officials continue to try to control a wildfire that started Monday afternoon and grew quickly in Chance Harbour, on the Bonavista Peninsula, reaching 1,200 hectares on Tuesday, according to the provincial government's active wildfire website. Ryan Pitts, whose family lost a cabin, says listening to community members grieve their properties has left him 'broken.'
CBC
6 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
‘Heartbreak': Out-of-control N.L. wildfire continues to burn, many cabins lost
Newfoundland and Labrador officials continue to try to control a wildfire that started Monday afternoon and grew quickly in Chance Harbour, on the Bonavista Peninsula, reaching 1,200 hectares on Tuesday, according to the provincial government's active wildfire website. Ryan Pitts, whose family lost a cabin, says listening to community members grieve their properties has left him 'broken.' Read more:
