Hurricane winds didn’t materialize as expected, but rain needed to minimize Long Lake fire: DNR
The Long Lake Wildfire in Annapolis County, N.S., Continues to Rage
The Long Lake wildfire in Annapolis County, N.S., remains out of control, but winds from Hurricane Erin did not impact the fire as much as had been feared. Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection with the Department of Natural Resources, told reporters Saturday afternoon that the fire has grown slightly from 3,210 hectares to 3,255 due to shifting winds.
The winds shifted in a favourable direction, pushing the fire away from threatened homes in the West Dalhousie Road area. Officials have evacuated 107 homes in the West Dalhousie area, affecting roughly 215 people.
Jim Rudderham, the department’s director of fleet and forest protection, says the province is expecting rain on Monday, but that won’t be enough to minimize the Long Lake fire, which started on August 13. “We need extended rain for multiple days before it has any real, good effect on this fire, or on the fire ban, or on the woods travel restrictions,” said Rudderham.
Tingley said those fighting the fire had favourable conditions Saturday morning but are expecting dry air and more incoming winds ahead of the rain on Monday. Crews are also prioritizing the area where the fire spread Friday.
No homes have been damaged by the wildfire, but some campers and trailers were destroyed earlier in the week. Dustin Enslow, the deputy warden of the Municipality of the County of Annapolis, told reporters that the comfort centre for evacuees at the Nova Scotia Community College in Middleton would close as of 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Beginning Sunday, a new centre at the Bridgetown fire hall will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enslow said that location will enable evacuees to utilize services closer to home and access donations offered at the nearby Salvation Army.
Evacuees remain optimistic and are anxious to get home. “Everyone’s spirits are still high and we are doing our best to continue that and we’ll continue to do so until we are out of this situation, everyone is back home and we’re back to normal,” said Enslow.
Natural Resources said 44 local firefighters, 43 DNR staff, and 62 firefighters from Ontario are on the scene, as well as helicopters, planes, and heavy equipment operators. The department said that firefighters from P.E.I. have returned home.
