Shelburne County blaze 'rolling like a freight train,' more evacuations ordered Wednesday
CBC
If the power or data on your device is low, get your wildfire updates on CBC Lite. It's our low-bandwidth, text-only website.
A newly reported forest fire northeast of the large, out-of-control fire near Barrington, N.S, has led to evacuation notices for residents of Jordan Ferry, Jordan Bay and Lower Sandy Point.
In an emailed statement, provincial spokesperson Marla MacInnis said the province is responding to a new, out-of-control fire near Lake Road in the Municipality of Shelburne that's 20 hectares in size, with the potential to grow.
This comes as the largest forest fire in Nova Scotia's recorded history in Shelburne County continues to grow, with officials confirming Wednesday that dozens of homes have been destroyed and firefighters have spotted flames nearly 100 metres tall.
Evacuation is also recommend for parts of Lake Road, Sandy Point Road, including some smaller side streets and nearby businesses and streets including Shelburne Diesel, Shelburne Ship Repair, Ven-Rez, Bill Harris Transport, Coastal Tails and Adamant Drive.
Editor's note: The exact location of the Jordan Ferry-area fire cannot be shown until it's mapped by fire officials.
The larger fire, which started near Barrington Lake in Shelburne County on Saturday, is still out of control, and has now reached more than 17,000 hectares, according to an update from the Department of Natural Resources. Previously, the department reported the fire at more than 20,000 hectares and said the change in size "reflects more precise measurement."
Dave Rockwood, with the department, said during a news update on Wednesday officials were concerned about the fire, which continues to be "very fast moving."
"We are concerned with the head fire on this," Rockwood told reporters, noting firefighters have seen flames as tall as 60 to 90 metres.
"We start out the day with lower intensity, but by afternoon this thing has been getting up and rolling like a freight train."
He said that so far, about 50 residences have been lost to the fire, though there are no specific locations on the structures that have been destroyed.
More than 2,300 homes have now been evacuated in the Shelburne County area, affecting about 5,000 people, according to RCMP Chief Supt. Sue Black.
Also during the news update, Premier Tim Houston said formal requests to the federal government for assistance have been made, including help from military firefighters and a temporary leave benefit to support people who aren't able to work.
Houston said the fine for breaking the provincial burn ban has been raised to $25,000, up from $237.50 after eight burns were reported overnight.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.
Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.
While we officially welcomed spring last week, an incoming system will be a reminder that snow is still very much part of the new season, especially early on.
The future of a national historic site in Fredericton is up for discussion at meetings across New Brunswick in the next few weeks as the Anglican diocese considers what to do about costly repairs needed at Christ Church Cathedral.
Amanda Lathlin, the first First Nations woman to be elected to the legislative assembly in Manitoba's history, has died, the provincial NDP said on Saturday.
CBC's road trip series Land of Living Stories explores inspiring stories of community spirit from across Saskatchewan. In our latest visit, CBC-Radio Canada hit the road to La Ronge. This is the fifth of a multi-part series from that community.
Dozens of people filled Regina's Fresh and Sweet cafe on Saturday to paint, collage and craft their concerns about artificial intelligence by making zines — a type of self-published small booklet, typically created by hand.
Wildfire season has officially started in Alberta. As the snow starts to melt, people are starting to wonder: Will I have to evacuate this year?