Harbour Grace supports fire evacuees

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Harbour Grace council was among the municipalities offering whatever support it could tender last month to the people of the North Shore who were evacuated from their homes because of the wildfire.

Deputy Mayor Keith Skinner noted the Harbour Grace Post Office was doing its part by helping to look after the mail of some people from the North Shore. Carbonear Post Office was doing the same.

Councillor Gordon Stone made a motion to make a fund of $500 available to help evacuees with day-to-day needs. Mayor Don Coombs added the Town had already begun to show support in that way. Stone’s motion passed unanimously.

Councillor Brendan Chafe, the fire department liaison, said he could not speak highly enough of the efforts of the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade. 

“Hats off to all the volunteer fire departments that are on the island, especially the ones that are dealing with forest fires right now,” he said. “The North Shore is a beast of a fire. I just hope Mother Nature helps us out a little bit with some cool temperatures and rain.”

Towards the end of the meeting, Stone again emphasized the town’s support of the evacuees. “Harbour Grace is there for them,” he said. “If they call, they can depend on us being there to help. And to our fire department — we can never say enough thanks. They have been unbelievable.”