Some evacuees heading home as forest fire on Eastern Shore slows
CBC
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.
On Sunday night, the Department of Natural Resources said the fire is now being held. As of 7:37 p.m., the size was estimated to be 30 hectares.
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, 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.
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.
The union president called it a rally for solidarity as Iqaluit Housing Authority employees gathered Friday while negotiations are ongoing between the Nunavut Employees Union and the employer.
The federal government is stoking Quebec separatism by walking back its climate commitments — including in its recent deal with Alberta — Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says.
Four more Alberta MLAs are facing recall petitions organized by their constituents, including the first NDP representative to be caught in the province's ongoing wave of recall efforts.
Frank Gehry, the Canadian-born renegade architect behind some of the world's most recognizable buildings, has died at 96.
Hundreds of P.E.I. parents can't find child-care spaces, especially for infants. The provincial government says expanding those spots remains a top priority — and it recognizes the concern.
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that would have ended the court proceeding.
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.