About Cape Breton Adventure

Cape Smokey Mountain Fire 1968

2008-03-05T12:47:00.002-04:00

When we see the mountains in Cape Breton, we admire the view and are amazed at their beauty. However, these mountains have suffered damage and destruction by raging fires. Through my research I have learned that fire has destroyed forestry and habitat on Kelly's mountain ,Cape Dauphin and Cape Smokey. My discussion will only be on the fire on Cape Smokey.

The fire stared on Cape Smokey May 30, 1968, and was discovered by noon Wednesday. The fire started near Wreck Cove and cut a path of destruction eight miles long and three miles wide within 24 hours over Cape Smokey and into the Ingonish Ferry area. The bridge at the base of Cape Smokey was burned and had to be replaced by a steel structure.

Calls for assistance brought firefighters and trucks from as far away as Sydney with 500 men fighting the fire. There were 4 water-bombers and a helicopter also helped to control the blaze over the weekend.

The blaze was considered well under control after burning for 5 days, but when winds increased Sunday, June 2, 1968, a spark set everything on fire again.

Sunday evening, 11 of the firefighters were trapped along with their equipment by a flare up of the fire. They had to jump into a lake to avoid the fire and were rescued by a helicopter and carried to safety. Another 30 volunteer firefighters were forced to flee the flames and lost their firefighting equipment.

By Thursday evening, most of the 500 firefighters had returned home leaving small crews who kept watch for fire.

During the fire, more than 40 families had to leave their homes. In the area where homes were burned, volunteers managed to save most personal items. They re-settled and then had to leave again before the danger was over. The families were allowed back home Wednesday, June 5 1968.

With 4200 acres of the forest burned, 5 houses, a number of barns and other small buildings, this was thought by many to be the worst fire in Cape Breton since 1947, in Pleasant Bay.

The telephone service was cut off Wednesday night and had been restored and electric power was disrupted slightly.

Winds up to 40 miles per hour were blamed for the out of control blaze and is believed to have been started by a fisherman=s camp fire near the cove area.

Cape Smokey suffered a lot of damage by the fire. The 1200 foot mountain was scarred and black, where once beautiful green trees stood.

It has taken several years, but Cape Smokey recovered and is once again alive with trees and many animals such as deer, bears, squirrels, moose and fox to name a few. If you plan a visit to Cape Smokey mountain, be sure to stop at Cape Smokey Provincial Park to get a sense of the natural beauty that surrounds you.

Submitted By:
Brittany
Grade 4
February 2008

Contact

2005-10-01T22:14:00.000-03:00

If you have any questions about trails in Cape Breton or about the island itself, please feel free to contact me, Steven Rolls (s_rolls@hotmail.com).

Our Vision

2005-10-01T21:44:00.000-03:00

Cape Breton Adventure is a web site, posted as a source of information to all who wish to visit Cape Breton. It caters to those who wish to visit Cape Breton to see it's scenery and experience it's natural wonder. It includes listings of the majority of trails known to myself, including directions, descriptions, and facilities in the general area of each trail. I hope to make this website a must stop for anyone interested in visiting Cape Breton to see it's great outdoors.

This site is here for you. All are welcome to visit and contribute by sending stories or legends of Cape Breton. If you would like to contribute please contact me Steven Rolls (s_rolls@hotmail.com).

Your Guide

2005-10-01T21:43:00.000-03:00

Hello, and once again I would like to welcome you to the Cape Breton Adventure site. My name is Steven Rolls (s_rolls@hotmail.com), the site's creator and avid hiker of Cape Breton's great outdoors.

I have been exploring Cape Breton since I was a small boy twenty-some odd years ago. I can remember my family and I roaming the trails of the Highland National Park, and leaping from rock to rock around the shores of Cheticamp Island.

I have grown up with the beauty of Cape Breton and now wish to share it with you. I have recently updated the "Cape Breton Adventure" site to accomplish this very task. Many great things will be added to the site so check back often. If you are interested in learning more have a look at "Our Vision".