21-07-2025
Hundreds ordered to evacuate Newfoundland town of Musgrave Harbour as wildfire closes in
A town in northeastern Newfoundland has been ordered to evacuate as an out-of-control wildfire closes in and officials declare a state of emergency, sending hundreds of residents fleeing and fearing for their homes.
Justice and Public Safety Minister John Haggie told reporters later Sunday that the fire was 'a significant and serious issue.'
Jamie Chippett, the deputy minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, said that when the fire was first detected Saturday night, it was about eight kilometres from Musgrave Harbour.
By noon Sunday, Mr. Chippett said, the blaze was just one kilometre from the community's homes and 'at a very high rank, a Rank 5 in technical terms.'
'That means very active.'
He added that gusty conditions, including wind blowing south and southwest, put the community 'directly in the line of the fire.'
At least four water bombers and one helicopter are being used to fight the flames, after an alert from the provincial Department of Justice and Public Safety on Sunday morning urged people in the area to leave because of 'extreme wildfire behaviour.'
Musgrave Harbour resident Roger Jordan Hicks, 43, said the fire only started Saturday, but it has already gotten 'crazy.' He believed everyone in town but the fire department and RCMP detachment had left by Sunday afternoon.
Like many residents, Mr. Hicks fears for his home, which is surrounded by forest. He only had time to take his safe, medication and a few clothes before evacuating. He had to leave behind family heirlooms, including some old Newfoundland currency that has been passed down through generations. As for the house, he said, 'I don't expect it to be there when I get back.'
He has insurance, but many of his neighbours don't, because of the high cost of living. That has left some people feeling 'scared,' Mr. Hicks said.
But if there is widespread destruction, Mr. Hicks is confident the intimate fishing town will be able to come together and rebuild.
'Everybody knows everybody, and sometimes you know somebody's business before they know it,' he said with a laugh. 'I know everyone is going to come together because that's just the way we are.'
In the meantime, evacuated residents are watching the weather and hoping the wind will change direction. In addition to the water bombers provided by the province, Mr. Hicks says he also has 'faith' in the local fire department.
Meanwhile, residents of two communities roughly 110 kilometres south of Musgrave Harbour are still on edge as another wildfire roars nearby.
The fire in the Chance Harbour area ignited July 14 and encompassed an area of about 16.6 square kilometres as of Sunday morning.
With reports from The Canadian Press
