Dozens of homes have been evacuated in the Annapolis County due to the Long Lake wildfire complex with the largest that remains at 406 hectares and the situation still very, very dangerous.
In a press conference, Friday afternoon, Dave Steeves with the Department of Natural Resources said because of a slight shift in weather, conditions are a bit more on our side but that could turn on a dime.
“Fire behavior is basically made up of fuels and topography and the smallest change in any of those variables can turn the situation around very, very quickly and we’re aware of that,” said Steeves.
“Our fuel moisture levels are extremely low. One small situation could turn into a very big situation very, very quickly.”
A bit of a cold front moved through Nova Scotia last night bringing some rain but a lot of lightning as well.
This, according to Jim Rudderham, Director of Fleet and Forest Protection, could result in more fires in the coming days considering how dry conditions are.
“Lightning has a lot of power. It could drive into the ground and some time to work its way back out again with fire,” said Rudderham.
A lightning strike is what they believed caused the fire.
Crews on the ground
There are 11 active fires in the province and a lot of ground patrolling.
Steeves said fire can hide underground until conditions are almost perfect, so even the smallest fire can take a lot of work to make sure it is out.
And they are running the gamut.
“A lot of folks are actually out there with hose in hand. Sometimes, you’re crawling around on your hands and knees, feeling the ground with your hands, looking for areas of concern,” said Steeves.
“It’s everything basically from working with machinery, guiding and creating fire breaks, to folks out there with fire hoses, to other staff members out there with shoves and fire axes, digging up moss mounds and rotten wood, looking for that one possible spark that could cause a problem.”
Local firefighter Oryan Curry of Annapolis Royal hoses down a hot spot. (Province of Nova Scotia)
Firefighters that were sent to New Brunswick are also on the way back
Evacuations for Long Lake
Thursday night, the Emergency Management Department expanded the evacuation area to include:
- West Dalhousie Road intersection to 484 Morse Road
- 4530 West Dalhousie Road to 6186 West Dalhousie Road
- 2648 Thorne road to 3408 Thorne Road
122, 126, 126 Unit 2 Medicraft Lane
The reception and shelter for those evacuated had been relocated to the Nova Scotia Community College-Middleton at 295 Commercial Street.
It will be open 24 hours. The Bridgetown location is no longer open.
You can register online at annapoliscounty.ca.
DNR has 33 firefighters on scene, along with 10 local firefighters. Heavy equipment continues to create fire barriers.
This map from DNR shows the evacuation area with the dotted line and the estimated size of the Long Lake fire with the solid red line. The map is from about 10 a.m. Aug. 15. (Department of Emergency Management)
The Susies Lake fire near Halifax is still being held. Thirty DNR firefighters and six Halifax firefighters are on the scene trying to get it under control.
d’Entremont, Houston visit Bridgetown relief centre
A comfort centre for evacuees of the West Dalhousie fire has been set up.
Acadie-Annapolis MP Chris d’Entremont visited the Bridgetown fire hall yesterday, alongside Premier Tim Houston.
d’Entremont says the Red Cross was on site.
“They were taking names of people, and making sure people were taken care of. The community has also been coming out, making sure people have things to eat and drink, and offering lodging where needed,” said d’Entremont.
He thanks all the firefighters and volunteers that are providing relief, and says he’s hoping for rain soon.
More to come…
