Mr. Speaker, last Saturday I surveyed the damage caused by the Shag Harbour fire. Only the quick response of local volunteers and professionals prevented complete devastation.
Two thousand acres were destroyed by this fire, which swept the edge of Shag Harbour and travelled nine kilometres to the sea. Two homes, along with other workshops, were completely destroyed and other homes were extensively damaged.
Four hundred and eighty-seven houses were threatened and 1,800-plus people were evacuated from the fire zone. Had this fire, which travelled north to south, been 250 metres farther west, Shag Harbour would have been destroyed.
Thirteen fire departments and two Department of Natural Resources helicopter crews battled the flames. Fire Chief Ricky Banks of Shag Harbour and Chief Darren Nickerson of Woods Harbour, Emergency Medical Organization co-ordinator Ed Nickerson, Bill DesChamp, Department of Natural Resources fire boss, local RCMP, Tina Wickens, warden of the Municipality of Barrington, and all field and support staff deserve commendation.
Typical of Canadian communities, Shag Harbour and Woods Harbour drew upon the strength of their human resources and survived against great odds.