Gulf Island Peat Moss is closely monitoring a waste pile of shavings that caught fire on its Foxley River property. The fire, measuring approximately 100 feet by 100 feet, was swiftly addressed by the Tyne Valley Fire Department. Responders managed to contain and disperse the flames after the call came in around 8 a.m., despite reduced visibility caused by high winds and smoke.
Tyne Valley Fire Department Chief William Bishop explained that the smoldering peat moss pile was challenging to control due to its spontaneous ignition. The fire, fueled by its own heat source, was described as self-igniting and uncontrollable.
Although firefighters have left the scene, the smoldering pile continues to pose a challenge. Bishop expressed uncertainty about the duration of the smoldering process. Gulf Island Peat Moss affirmed ongoing monitoring of the affected area.
The Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action confirmed awareness of the fire and ongoing communication with the relevant parties. Gulf Island Peat Moss, a subsidiary of Annapolis Valley Peat Moss Co. Ltd., manages a vast expanse of land, including a significant shoreline along the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
In a previous incident in the summer of 2024, the company’s peat bog in western P.E.I. experienced a fire that smoldered for approximately three weeks.
