Crews fighting Annapolis Valley wildfire focused on protecting homes at risk

The wildfire in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis County remains a concern for officials, but there is some relief as it has not grown in size since Tuesday. The fire near West Dalhousie covers an estimated 3,210 hectares, or roughly 32 square kilometres.

Dave Steeves, a provincial public information officer, commended the efforts of firefighters on the scene for their hard work and determination in containing the fire. He emphasized the importance of protecting homes in the area and praised the teamwork and resilience of the crews battling the blaze.

Despite favorable weather conditions on Wednesday, the effects of recent rainfall have diminished as the area becomes drier. The fire weather index remains high to very high, posing challenges for containment efforts. Scott Tingley, Nova Scotia’s manager of forest protection, highlighted the ongoing risk due to the lack of significant rainfall in the forecast.

Crews are closely monitoring the potential impact of Hurricane Erin on firefighting operations over the weekend. Tingley noted the rare occurrence of preparing for a hurricane in firefighting efforts and emphasized the advantage of advanced notice to make necessary preparations.

With firefighters from Ontario and P.E.I. lending their support, along with Natural Resource staff and volunteer fire department members, the focus remains on protecting structures and containing the wildfire. The collaboration and dedication of all involved have been instrumental in managing the situation and working towards a resolution.