Peat fire in western P.E.I. contained, but still burning

Crews in western P.E.I. continue working to fight the peat moss fire near Foxley River.

The fire is contained, but continues to burn an area of just under 16 hectares at Gulf Island Peat Moss. 

There are no flames at the site, but occasional puffs of smoke, said Nick Thompson, wildland fire supervisor with the province's forests, fish and wildlife division. 

"We do have a steady water supply that we're using as well. And right now, crews are up there and they're just trying to find spots that are burning in the middle and putting them out," Thompson said. 

As of Thursday, six provincial staffers are working at the site of the fire.

The provincial wildfire team is made up of around 50 people across the Island, said Mike Montigny, field services manager with the division.

Montigny said there are enough staff available to fight other fires that may occur.

He said P.E.I. has aid agreements with several other provinces, territories and parts of the United States in case help is needed.  

How long will it take to put out P.E.I.'s peat fire?

5 months ago

Duration 2:54

The fire at a peat harvesting operation in Foxley River, P.E.I., has been burning for several days. Mike Montigny and Nick Thompson from the province's forest, fish and wildlife division explain why this type of fire is so hard to extinguish, and how the department is managing its resources.

"We want to make sure that we don't have all of our resources in one place," Montigny said. "If somewhere else in the Island requires us now, we have resources and personnel available."

When peat moss burns, it's difficult to contain, Thompson said. 

"The fire will burn underground. After a couple of hours or if it gets windy, it may reach the surface," he said. "Then that's when they can locate the hotspot and put water on to put that part out."

'Everybody stepped up'

Thompson said crews are hoping for an extended period of time with no small fires popping up from underground.

"If we're not getting those fires … it just helps with our confidence knowing that this could potentially be extinguished," he said. 

Crews have also used industrial sprinklers around the fire's perimeter lines to help keep it contained.

Paul Daley, the manager of Gulf Island Peat Moss, said the facility has suspended operations for now to let the provincial crews do their work. 

"We're just staying out of their way until things calm down, but we'll be back up hopefully next week running the plant," Daley said. 

He thanked the provincial workers, local firefighters and his own employees for their work fighting the fire. 

"Everybody stepped up when we needed them and that was good to see," Daley said. "We're feeling good where we are. So hopefully the worst is behind us."