Fire Telegraph Cove
Last updated on January 9, 2025Disclaimer:
- Information provided is based on reports received by Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR)
- Information provided is considered to be current at the time of posting, but is subject to change
Incident description
| Incident Date | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Name | DGIR: 245236 |
| Source | Fire |
| Nearest Community | Telegraph Cove, B.C. |
| Spilled Content | Unknown/Woody Debris |
| Who is involved |
Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV), Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR), Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), Telegraph Cove Resort, Port Hardy Fire Department, Western Forest Products, the Town of Port McNeil |
Response phase details
The responsible person or spiller is legally required to cleanup or manage the cleanup of a spill.
In incidents where the responsible person is unknown, unable or unwilling to manage the cleanup, the Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV) may assume the role.
The updates below reflect the ministry’s oversight of the spillers’ actions. Details describe the spill response phase only and not the complete lifecycle of the spill. Visit the 'More information' page for other reports.
Updates are in reverse chronological order with the most recent at the top.
Industry-specific language may be explained in the Glossary of Terms (PDF, 106KB).
Most recent updates
January 09 - 10:30 a.m.
An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) attended the incident site on January 7th, 2025. The EERO was able to observe the site using a drone.
The current site conditions appear to be stable with booms continuing to contain the majority of the debris. There is minimal debris outside the boom containment. There are no additional dangerous goods concerns observed.
The Responsible Person (RP) has hired a contractor, who is expected to be onsite today, to start planning the debris removal operation.
The Province will continue to monitor and support the RP’s efforts going forward.
As the situation has stabilised and the RP is taking positive action to address the situation, no further updates are anticipated.
January 03 - 3:00 p.m.
This is an update based upon the information received January 3rd, 2025.
Local fire departments have confirmed that the fire has been extinguished.
The current site condition update is:
- The pier pilings are intact and lightly damaged.
- The pier deck is mostly destroyed.
- The fuel dock is intact. No sheening has been reported.
- The debris is mostly woody debris from the pier.
- Booms sourced from Western Forest Products contain most of the heavy debris.
- Smaller debris, mostly burned wood, is present outside the booms.
- No additional dangerous goods concerns have been reported.
The Responsible Person has retained a qualified environmental professional (QEP) for further response activities.
A plan to manage and remove the debris in the marine environment will be developed.
An EERO continues to monitor the situation.
Further updates will be made when more information is available.
January 03 - 9:00 a.m.
The report below is based on information received from December 31st, 2024.
On December 31st, the Province received a report of a fire on the premises of Telegraph Cove Resort, near Port McNeil on Vancouver Island.
The initial report indicated that multiple structures were on fire, including the wharf and pier.
An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) has been monitoring the situation.
The EERO has been able to liaise with local authorities and local fire departments. Further reports indicate that:
- The pier is heavily damaged and considered compromised.
- Fire suppression involved only water.
- Woody debris is present in the marine environment.
- Western Forest Products have been retained and are on-site using boom to contain the debris in the marina.
- The fuel dock is not burned and is being protected.
- No sheen has been observed on the water.
An EERO continues to monitor the situation.