A forest fire is still burning on the east coast of New Scotland, but the union that represents Halifax firefighters says they have advanced as the rain continues to fall into the area.
The RCMP, the Fire and the emergency of Halifax and the Department of Natural Resources have been at the scene of a forest fire along Ostrea Lake Road, which is near the port of Musquodoboit, since Sunday afternoon.
But in a shared update on Facebook around 7 PM on Sunday, the Halifax Professional Fire Association said the “situation has stabilized” and resources were gradually released from the scene. “
In a previous statement, the association had described that the fire conditions are “serious, fed by a thick brush, dry vegetation and racing winds.”
He said the teams had been taken from the forest for security reasons and focused on protecting the structures.
On Sunday night, the Natural Resources Department said the fire is now being carried out. From 7:37 pm, it was estimated that the size was 30 hectares.
Many nearby houses were evacuated due to the fire, but the regional municipality of Halifax said that some people can return home tonight.
In a statement, the HRM said that those who live in Birchwood Lane, Lailia Lane, Sunset Lane and Ostea Lake Road from the number 320 of the North to Highway 7, can return home after 8 pm.
An evacuation order remains for the reflection lane, Heselton Drive and Ostrea Lake Road from the number 320 civic to the south to the civic number 655.
On Sunday afternoon, the Natural Resources Department published that the size of the fire was estimated at 35 hectares, an area of approximately 50 football fields.
He said the department had 12 firefighters on the scene and a helicopter.
Road No. 7 was temporarily closed to traffic from Pond Road to Strike Lane, but since then it has reopened.
The fire started around 1 pm
According to David Hendsbee, the municipal councilor of the area, the fire began around 1 PM.
He estimates that at least 100 houses in the area have been evacuated.
“I just ask people to be patient during this time,” he said. “The RCMP and the Fire Department are doing their best.”
An evacuation center has been established in the Community Center of the East Coast in the port of Musquodoboit for those impacted by the fire.
The regional municipality of Halifax has advised that people close to the fire should turn off all windows and doors, turn off air exchangers and remain inside until air quality improves.
Mike Palmer lives in a house affected by the evacuation order. He was coming out of groceries when the order occurred, so his partner has been only gathering the needs before leaving.
When Palmer spoke with CBC News, he said he was not allowed to go home despite being just 140 meters from the main door.
“I feel very stressed. I feel helpless,” said Palmer, who moved to the area since Ontario six months ago.
“Definitely a forest fire that I smelled,” says the business owner
Ronnie Poan has a bowling alley, lanes without pot, located in Strike Lane. He said he could smell smoke around 1 pm.
“I was thinking that it is horrible that someone had a fire in the house today because it is hot, not because it is cold,” he said. “But it was … definitely a forest fire that I smelled.”
Poan said the bowling alley was celebrating a youth club banquet today. He said some people stayed because they could not return home with the traffic that only moved in a direction on highway 7 before the reopened road.
🔥 Ostrea Lake Wildfire – Update 3 🔥
RCMP is currently handling evacuations in the Lake Ostrea area. At this time, no additional evacuation orders have been issued beyond those in place.
The fire remains active and out of control, with continuous air support … pic.twitter.com/1qielzaqmt
The public is advised to avoid the area. Currently a burning prohibition is in force in Halifax County.
Environment Canada is forecasting rain for the area until around 9 pm and says there is the possibility of more showers during the night.
