Rain fails to extinguish western P.E.I. peat moss fire

Heavy rains on Sunday followed by lighter showers on Monday were not enough to put out a peat fire burning near Foxley River.

Environment Canada recorded 23.2 mm of rain on Sunday and another 4.2 mm on Monday, but it will take a sustained period of rain to put the fire out, said Mike Montigny, the province's manager of field services.

"Even with the amount of precipitation still the fire is burning deep into the ground. It's going to take a long time for it to be called out," said Montigny.

"It's smouldering, so you'll see a little bit of puffs of smoke from things right now. That's the way we'd like to keep it."

The fire started in the peat bog at Gulf Island Peat Moss eight days ago, burning in a 16-hectare area. For days, local fire departments and provincial workers were on site containing the fire. Currently, the company has taken charge of fire containment, with provincial staff visiting to check in.

There are no particular concerns about the fire getting out control at this point, said Montigny.