Nova Scotia County The newest region hit by a running fire in Canada’s Summer of Smoke
When Mike Pasztor received an evacuation notice last week, he quickly gathered his most precious belongings and left his home in Annapolis County, NS. His wife headed to Bridgetown while he stayed behind to protect their home and surrounding property.
With over 50 households in Annapolis County being displaced due to a raging forest fire, residents are facing one of the worst fire seasons in decades. The main concern is a fire that has grown to 406 hectares, prompting evacuation orders for parts of the county.
While efforts to suppress the fire on the mainland of Nova Scotia have been somewhat successful due to lower temperatures and increased humidity, the risk of lightning and dry conditions still poses a threat. Public information officer Dave Steeves emphasized the ongoing danger, citing recent extreme fire behavior.
In Bridgetown, the community has come together to support evacuees, with the local fire station serving as a gathering point. Lory James, owner of the Bridgetown Motor Inn, noted that the hotel was nearly at full capacity with evacuees and Ministry of Natural Resources staff.
Meanwhile, progress has been made in Ontario, where fires in the Kawartha Lakes region are now under control. In British Columbia, recent rain has helped improve conditions around the Mount Underwood Wildfire and Wesley Ridge Fire.
Manitoba continues to battle widespread forest fires, with the province under a state of emergency for over a month. Saskatchewan lifted a fire ban thanks to recent rainfall, while Alberta and the Northwest territories are also seeing improvements in fire containment.
Yukon has had 88 active forest fires this year, burning a total of 161,971 hectares. Despite the challenges posed by these fires, communities across Canada are coming together to support evacuees and assist with firefighting efforts.
Overall, the impact of these fires serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and preparedness, as well as the resilience and unity of Canadian communities in times of crisis.
