How long will it take to control the N.S. wildfire? Hurricane Erin makes it hard to predict
Nova Scotia Wildfire Continues to Rage as Hurricane Erin Approaches
Natural resources officials are closely monitoring the Long Lake wildfire in Annapolis County, N.S., as high winds from Hurricane Erin make it challenging to predict the fire’s behavior. The wildfire, near West Dalhousie, has been estimated at 3,210 hectares for the third consecutive day, with the fire still classified as out of control.
Jim Rudderham, the director of fleet and forest protection, explained that the fire will only be considered “held” when there is no expectation for further growth, taking into account various factors including weather conditions. With the uncertainty surrounding Hurricane Erin’s impact on Nova Scotia, the wildfire’s containment status remains undetermined.
Although Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall in the province, the strong winds are likely to influence the fire’s behavior. Officials anticipate that the fire may spread over the weekend due to the storm’s forecasted path.
Scott Tingley, Nova Scotia’s manager of forest protection, reported that efforts have been focused on the north side of the fire, where crews are using heavy equipment to create fire breaks and remove fuel ahead of the blaze. The primary goal is to prevent the fire from advancing further.
Despite aerial support in the form of water drops to reduce the fire’s intensity, it is the ground crews that are instrumental in containing the blaze. Their diligent work with hoses and hand tools is crucial in extinguishing the fire on the perimeter.
One area of concern is a section of the fire that crossed West Dalhousie Road earlier in the week. Crews are working diligently to cool down this area to prevent any potential spread caused by the anticipated wind shifts over the weekend.
Currently, Nova Scotia is battling three active wildfires, with Long Lake being the largest and most challenging to contain. The other two wildfires in Susie Lake and Hilltown are considered under control.
