Southwest Nova Scotia fires have grown; more resources on the way
CBC
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Two out-of-control wildfires in Shelburne County in Nova Scotia's southwestern region have continued to grow as firefighters face a scorching day battling the blazes.
The biggest fire started in Barrington Lake in Shelburne County on Saturday and is now estimated to cover 18,173 hectares, up from Wednesday's estimate of 17,185 hectares.
The forest fire is the largest one in Nova Scotia's recorded history, and has destroyed at least 50 homes and cottages.
More than 35 firefighters from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are on the scene, as well as 40 from volunteer and municipal departments.
Crews will be working in blazing hot conditions, with temperatures expected to rise to 32 C.
"Today's weather is not going to be a friend of the firefighters," Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton told the CBC's Information Morning Nova Scotia on Thursday.
Firefighters have reported seeing flames nearly 100 metres tall.
More firefighting crews and equipment are expected to arrive in Nova Scotia after Ottawa approved a request from Premier Tim Houston for more resources. Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced the support Thursday morning in Ottawa.
The Canadian Armed Forces will provide planning and co-ordination support, as well as firefighters and fire specialists to help control the blazes. The firefighters will be used to relieve crews who have been working on the ground for days.
"They're doing an extraordinary job, but quite frankly they need help. They need relief and they need additional resources," Blair said. "That is a particularly dangerous fire and we're very concerned that it actually threatens a number of communities and other critical infrastructure in southern Nova Scotia, and so we'll move as quickly as possible to bring them that relief."
As of Wednesday, more than 2,300 homes had been evacuated in the Shelburne County area, according to RCMP Chief Supt. Sue Black, displacing about 5,000 people.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for all communities from Port Clyde through to Baccaro and along Highway 309 to the intersection of Oak Park Road and Highway 3 in Barrington West, and from 800 Upper Clyde Rd. to 2461 Upper Clyde Rd.
Residents of the Municipality of the District of Shelburne who have left their homes are asked to check in with the municipal office at 902-875-3544, extension 245, to let officials know they are safe and out of the fire zone. Anyone who needs help with the evacuation can call 902-875-8407.
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