Multiple calls keep crews busy as Halifax-area wildfire continues to burn

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Multiple fires throughout the Halifax area kept crews busy on Thursday afternoon as temperatures soared above 30 C and an 837-hectare wildfire in a suburb burned for a fourth day.

In addition to the large fire impacting the communities of Upper Tantallon, Hammonds Plains and Pockwock — which is currently 50 per cent contained — new fires erupted at the Waegwoltic Club in south-end Halifax and in wooded areas off Prospect Road and Perrin Drive in Waverley. Halifax Fire officials said crews also had to respond to multiple motor vehicle collisions on Thursday.

"It's so terribly dry right now, it's a significant challenge," Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Deputy Chief David Meldrum said in an update with reporters at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Meldrum said wet towels were being used to help cool crew down because of the heat.

Meldrum said Halifax Fire will be doing more to enforce the provincewide burn ban that is in effect. He said firefighters are now being directed to report illegal burns to the fire prevention division so it can be followed up for enforcement, which likely means summary offence tickets to people who are not following the rules.

"This is important, this is about keeping each other safe, it's about helping out firefighters attend to the emergencies that are impacting all of us," Meldrum said. The next update on the Halifax-area fires is expected Friday at 9 a.m.

Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said there were reports of people within the previous 12 hours breaking the burn ban, including someone using a propane torch to burn leaves and another person starting a bonfire.

"This is a clear violation of the no-stupid policy," Savage said in an update with reporters at 3 p.m. "Don't do it."

Savage said there is "absolutely no reason" for people to be burning or flicking cigarettes outside.

WATCH | Breaking the burn ban in Halifax could result in tickets

Meldrum said extra help has been called in and off-duty firefighters were recalled on an emergency basis to help with all the fires.

"We're stretched, not broken," Meldrum said.

He said the Prospect Road fire had been "knocked down," meaning most of the open flame is suppressed and crews will be dealing with smoldering fire. He said the Waegwoltic Club sustained "very, very significant damage."

The provincewide fine for violating the current burn ban was increased this week to $25,000 from $237.50. Premier Tim Houston told reporters Thursday afternoon that he wasn't aware of any fines related to the burn ban being issued yet.