Halifax requests federal assistance as out-of-control wildfire burns
CTV
The Halifax mayor is asking for help from the federal government as a wildfire burns in the city’s northwest.
The Halifax mayor is asking for help from the federal government as a wildfire burns in the city’s northwest.
Mike Savage says he spoke with federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair Wednesday afternoon and requested firefighting equipment.
“We’ve been given every assurance they will do everything they can to get them to us,” Savage said at a Wednesday news conference.
Roy Hollett, deputy chief of Halifax Regional Fire, said portable water trailers, brush trucks, and structural protection units — trailers containing pumps, hoses and other firefighting gear — are on the municipality’s request list.
The fire, which started Sunday in Upper Tantallon, has grown to about 830 Hectares. More than 16,000 people have been ordered to evacuate and at least 151 homes have been destroyed.
Savage scolded people breaking an ongoing burn ban and said eight calls came in for open fires Tuesday night.
“We’re fed up,” said Savage. “It would be nice in a time of crisis if we could have a no stupid policy.”
