The New Scotland government confirmed that 20 houses were destroyed last weekend in the forest fire of Annapolis County, which remains out of control and is estimated at 8,234 hectares, or more than 82 square kilometers.
According to a press release on Thursday, the residences were destroyed on Sunday on the roads of West Dalhouse and Thorne. Not all residences were primary structures.
“Our hearts are broken to the residents of the West Dalhousie community who have lost their homes,” said Prime Minister Tim Houston in a press release. “It is overwhelming to obtain that news, it will be a long road to recovery, and I know that residents will find comfort through this strong and very united community.
“The saving grace is that there has been no loss of lives, more houses were saved than lost, and our crews are doing everything possible to avoid more losses.”
The province said that another 11 units were lost or damaged in other properties in the area.
The authorities said that the many houses that are still standing can be seen as a success. They said the teams worked before the fire, deploying sprinklers to turn off houses and eliminate propane tanks, patio furniture and other fuel potential for the fire.
“Bodies have not left. They have been there from the beginning and will continue to pass and make sure that any of those houses and risks are mitigated and protected,” Andrew Mitton, director of Regional Operations of the Department of Emergency Emergency Management, said Thursday, to journalists.
The affected residents have been contacted by the municipality of Annapolis County on their properties. It is establishing a program to help owners and evacuated to access support.
Dustin Esslow, the attached of the municipalities, told journalists on Thursday that the municipality and the province will hire someone in the area to work with families that have been affected by the evacuation, loss and damage.
“If people are assured, we recommend that you communicate with the insurance company to start the process, but this browser will also help you support that transition,” said Esslow. “We know it will be difficult.”
Esslow said the browser will start working on Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm at Bridgetown Fire Hall. Esslow said people don’t need an appointment.
“We are going to overcome this together,” said Esslow.
The work to evaluate the damage will continue through other houses, dependencies, campists and trailers when safe. The area is still considered an active fire scene.
The province said that it is not safe to allow owners, insurance professionals or other services in the area.
The forest fire began on August 13.
Until now, 505 civic directions have been evacuated, but not all are residential properties.
Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management of Nueva Scotia, said Thursday that 267 homes and 518 people have registered in the Canadian Red Cross. She said that number is not the total number of evacuees since not everyone has registered.
Masland said that 88 houses in the evacuation area were protected by sprinklers. Of them, only three were lost.
She said the damage evaluation will continue for other houses and structures when safe.
