Halifax-area wildfire has not grown, but 'dangerous' firefighting conditions expected
CBC
Officials say crews made progress fighting an out-of-control wildfire outside Halifax overnight, but a change in the weather today is expected to pose a "dangerous" challenge for firefighters battling the blaze.
David Steeves of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources said winds from the southwest are expected to pick up during the afternoon, and the sun is expected to heat up.
We are hopeful that we can make some gain today, but we'll have to wait and see how the environment is going to work with us on that," Steeves said during a press conference at the incident command centre in the community of Tantallon.
"There's going to be an increased dangerous situation for the firefighters that are on the ground. Safety is going to be paramount in all our tactical decisions."
He spoke of a thermal inversion, which is when colder air meets hot air and essentially forms a wall, keeping smoke down toward the ground and making it harder for crews to see.
Halifax Fire Deputy Chief David Meldrum said crews remained in the area — which covers roughly 788 hectares in the suburbs of Hammonds Plains, Upper Tantallon and Pockwock — throughout the night extinguishing hot spots.
A number of teams are on scene today, including 60 Halifax firefighters, six engines, 10 tankers, staff from the Natural Resources Department and 10 personnel from the Department of National Defence.
Meldrum said firefighters may be removed from the front lines of the fire if the weather poses a problem, and more air resources would be deployed.
On Monday night, the Halifax Regional Municipality estimated 200 homes or structures have been damaged so far in the suburban communities about 25 kilometres from Halifax, home to many who work in the city.
Meldrum said most of the damaged or destroyed structures are single-family homes. He asked for patience from some 16,400 residents who are anxiously awaiting information about their properties.
He said it will take "considerable time," but officials will compile the information and create a geographic map with the precise locations of every damaged property.
Officials are reminding people not to try and return to their homes.
Heavy smoke was blanketing the area this morning and smoke could be seen and smelt from across the region.
The RCMP were warning commuters to drive carefully near Exit 5 of Highway 103 due to heavy smoke.