Latest news with #forestfire
CBC
5 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Some evacuees heading home as forest fire on Eastern Shore slows
A forest fire is still burning on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore, but the union representing Halifax firefighters says they've made headway as rain continues to fall in the area. The RCMP, Halifax Fire and Emergency and the Department of Natural Resources have been on the scene of a forest fire along Ostrea Lake Road, which is located near Musquodoboit Harbour, since Sunday afternoon. But in an update shared on Facebook around 7 p.m. Sunday, the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters association said the "situation has stabilized" and resources were being "gradually released from the scene." In an earlier statement, the association had described fire conditions are "serious, fuelled by thick brush, dry vegetation, and gusty winds." It said crews had been pulled from the woods for safety reasons and were focused on protecting structures. Many homes nearby were evacuated due to the fire, but the Halifax Regional Municipality said some people will be allowed to return home this evening. In a release issued around 7:30 p.m., the HRM said those living on Birchwood Lane, Lailia Lane, Sunset Lane, and Ostrea Lake Road from civic number 320 northwards to Highway 7, will be permitted to go back home after 8 p.m. An evacuation order remains in place for Reflection Lane, Heselton Drive, and Ostrea Lake Road from civic number 320 to the south as far as civic number 655. On Sunday afternoon, the Department of Natural Resources posted that the size of the fire was estimated at 35 hectares — an area about the size of 50 soccer fields. It said the department had 12 firefighters on the scene and a helicopter. The No. 7 highway was temporarily closed to traffic from Pond Road to Strike Lane, but has since reopened. Fire began around 1 p.m. According to David Hendsbee, the municipal councillor for the area, the fire began around 1 p.m. AT. He estimates at least 100 homes in the area have been evacuated. "I just ask people to be patient during this time," he said. "The RCMP and the fire department are doing the best they can do." An evacuation centre has been established at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour for those impacted by the fire. The Halifax Regional Municipality has advised those close to the fire should shut all windows and doors, turn off air exchangers and stay inside until air quality improves. Mike Palmer lives in a home affected by the evacuation order. He was out getting groceries when the order happened, so his partner has been alone gathering necessities before leaving. When Palmer spoke with CBC News, he said he wasn't allowed to go home despite being only 140 metres away from his front door. "I feel very stressed. I feel helpless," said Palmer, who moved to the area from Ontario six months ago. 'Definitely a forest fire I smelled,' says business owner Ronnie Poan owns a bowling alley, UnBOWLievable Lanes, located on Strike Lane. He said he could smell smoke around 1 p.m. AT. "I was thinking that's awful weird for somebody to have a fire in the house today because it's warm out, not because it's cold," he said. "But it was … definitely a forest fire I smelled." Poan said the bowling alley was holding a youth club banquet today. He said some people stayed behind because they couldn't head home with traffic only moving in one direction on Highway 7 before the road reopened. The public is being advised to avoid the area. A burn ban is currently in effect in Halifax County. Environment Canada is forecasting rain for the area until around 9 p.m. and says there's a chance of more showers overnight.
Globe and Mail
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
Halifax forest fire prompts RCMP to evacuate Musquodoboit Harbour community
RCMP in Nova Scotia say they are helping evacuate some residents from Musquodoboit Harbour as they assist firefighters responding to an active forest fire in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Mounties issued a statement about the forest fire Sunday afternoon, asking residents to avoid the area about 45 kilometres east of downtown Halifax. People living between the 600 block of Ostrea Lake Road and Highway 7 and nearby adjacent roads have been asked to stay away. Nova Scotia's natural resources department issued a statement on social media Sunday afternoon saying the fire is estimated at 0.35 kilometres in size, and 12 of its firefighters and one helicopter are on scene assisting local fire departments. RCMP spokesperson Guillaume Tremblay was unable to comment on the status of the fire or say how many residents had been asked to leave their homes as of late Sunday afternoon. The Department of Natural Resources and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The union representing Halifax firefighters issued a statement on social media at 4:30 p.m., saying the fire continues to grow and is estimated to be between 0.38 and 0.4 square kilometres in size, and air support from the Department of Natural Resources is active. 'The fire conditions are serious, fuelled by thick brush, dry vegetation, and gusty winds. Crews have been pulled from the woods for safety and are now focused on structure protection,' a spokesperson with the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters said in an e-mailed statement to The Canadian Press. 'Our thoughts are with the residents affected and with the firefighters and police officers working to protect lives and property under extremely challenging conditions,' said the statement from Brent Williams. A comfort centre has been opened at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour. The Halifax Regional Municipality issued a statement saying residents who are close to the fire are advised to close all windows and doors, shut down air exchangers and stay inside until air quality conditions improve.
CTV News
7 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Forest fire evacuation underway in Musquodoboit Harbour, N.S.
A wildfire broke out in the area of Ostrea Lake, N.S., Sunday, June 22, 2025. (Source: Facebook/Halifax Professional Fire Fighters) RCMP is assisting the Department of Natural Resources and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency (HRFE) in response to a forest fire in Musquodoboit Harbour, said a post from RCMP Nova Scotia on social media. Officers are evacuating residents from Ostrea Lake Road, between the 600 block and adjoining roads to Hwy. 7, said the post at 3:05 p.m. Saturday. The Halifax Professional Fire Fighters (HPFF) said the fire covers an estimated 35 hectares and threatens homes, in a social media post at around 3:20 p.m. The fire was first reported at 1:22 p.m. it said in a second post at approximately 3:45 p.m. HPFF said the fire has 'grown rapidly and remains out of control.' HRFE crews are assigned to structure protection only and all firefighters have been ordered out of the woods for safety, said the second post. Current evacuated streets include: Birchwood Lane Lailia Lane Reflection Lane Heselton Drive In an update police said the highway is closed to traffic from Pond Road to Strike Lane and traffic delays should be expected while evacuation efforts continue. Police told people not to enter the area in the post. More to come… For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Evacuations underway as crews respond to forest fire on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore
Homes have been evacuated from an area near a forest fire on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore. In a post to X on Sunday, Nova Scotia RCMP say they were assisting Halifax Fire and Emergency and the Department of Natural Resources at the scene of a forest fire along Ostrea Lake Road, which is located near Musquodoboit Harbour. Police said they are evacuating residents from the 600 block of Ostrea Lake Road, including adjoining roads, to Highway 7. The highway has been closed to traffic from Pond Road to Strike Lane. On Facebook, a post from the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters association stated that the fire is burning out of control and that homes were being evacuated. The public is being advised to avoid the area. A burn ban is currently in effect in Halifax County. MORE TOP STORIES
CBC
10 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Evacuations underway as crews respond to forest fire on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore
Homes have been evacuated from an area near a forest fire on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore. In a post to X on Sunday, Nova Scotia RCMP say they were assisting Halifax Fire and Emergency and the Department of Natural Resources at the scene of a forest fire along Ostrea Lake Road, which is located near Musquodoboit Harbour. Police said they are evacuating residents from the 600 block of Ostrea Lake Road and adjoining roads to Highway 7. On Facebook, a post from the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters Union stated that the fire is burning out of control and that homes were being evacuated. The public is being advised to avoid the area.
