The Long Lake wildfire is now being held, but for the loggers who helped fight it, the past few weeks have been exhausting.
Steve Ward, a land manager with Freeman Lumber, was one of several industry workers who stepped in when the fire broke out on August 14.
He says there were no contracts or agreements — just a call for help, and the forestry community responded.
“People in the logging industry are always the first ones to jump to lend a helping hand,” Ward said. “Nobody’s looking for a claim to fame… a community called for help, and we all just jumped in and tried to do the best we could.”
Ward described the fire as unlike most others Nova Scotia has seen, with embers sparking dangerous spot fires in all directions.
Crews used heavy equipment to cut “dozer guards” — wide strips of bare earth designed to keep flames contained and give firefighters room to attack hotspots.
He says there were days when morale dipped as flames pushed past fire breaks, undoing hours of work. But the strength of the community effort helped people keep going. “There’s all walks of life out there,” Ward said. “Everybody’s role is really important, from the loggers right down to the people making lunches.”
Now, weeks later, Ward says the fire looks far different.
Steve Ward is one of many logging industry members that answered the call to assist with the Long Lake wildfire efforts. Photo: Submitted Image.
The site is calmer, with crews focused on mop-up work and extinguishing hotspots.
For the first time since the fire started, he says, there’s a sense of progress. “This week, we feel like we’re winning. We’re making headway, and everybody’s got a little more spring in their step.”
Ward adds that the collaboration between industry, provincial staff, firefighters, and volunteers has been one of the most encouraging parts of the response.
