The New Scotland Natural Resources Department says that a burning of forest fires out of control in Annapolis County did not grow overnight and crews are making good progress.
The long forest fire of the Lake near the West Dalhousie community is estimated at 3,210 hectares, approximately 32 square kilometers.
At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the province provided an update on fire and suppression efforts.
Scott Tingley, forest protection manager, said the teams have focused most of their energy in the last 24 hours to ensure the area where the fire crossed West Dalhouse Road.
“That is one of the most concerned areas at this time,” he said. “When the winds eventually return from the south, that end of the fire … is where are the closest houses and values that are protected.”
Tingley said that although the winds have been “relatively favorable” since Monday, he hopes that there are some challenging days between now and Sunday as the winds become more volatile with the Hurricane Erin approach.
He said that his department has been receiving constant updates about the progression of the storm, which CBC News has reported It will bring wind and strong waves to the Atlantic regionBut it will probably be too far on the high seas for rain.
“Where there is no rain in the forecast, it will still take a significant effort … to stay in a state or under the state of control,” he said. “We are progressing but we still have a long way to go.”
There are still no damage to houses, but some properties, including campers and trailers, have been destroyed.
The authorities have evacuated 107 houses in the West Dalhouse area, affecting approximately 215 people.
Dustin Enselow, the Warden vice president of the municipality of the County of Annapolis, said he was encouraged by Monday’s progress.
“It was a bit of great relief to consider the day before was one of the worst days we had since the beginning of fire. So it was a bit good story,” Creeow told CBC Radio’s MORNING CAPE BRETON INFORMATION Tuesday.
“The only inconvenience is that we are not predicting the rain for the next short period of time.”
According to Environment Canada, there is no rain in the forecast until Monday, when there is a possibility of showers.
Esslow said that sprinklers who have been deployed in nearby houses have been very effective. They create a constant current of water that mimics the rain, which helps prevent the fall of the coals from destroying a fire, he said.
“It really is the first time that this capacity is used in New Scotland,” said Esslow, added that at least two sprinklers are in use in each home.
“They have spent a couple of days since I went out to the site, but when we were out, it was nice to see that all the houses seemed to rain.”
At 1 pm on Tuesday, there were 93 firefighters from the Department of Natural Resources on the ground, plus 25 local firefighters and 22 of Ontario.
There are also four aircraft from the Northwest territories and a helicopter that help fight fire.
The Prime Minister of New Scotland, Tim Houston, said on Monday that three more helicopters were on the way to Saskatchewan.
He said that the province has no plans to buy a fixed -wing water bomber, but that can change in the future.
“We are concerned about fires. We are concerned about their frequency, what we want to make sure that our teams have the best possible assets to fight them,” said Houston.
“It could be that as we advance … that’s part of that, but it’s an evaluation at this time. We are fighting fires with everything we have.”
As Lake Fire continues to burn control, New Scotland Scotland organizations show their support for people who have been displaced. Meig Campbell has the story.
A press release from the Regional Emergency Management Organization of Annapolis said that the reception center and the evacuation shelter on the Annapolis Valley campus of the Nova Scotia Community College in Middleton will now operate daily from 8 am to 8 pm local time.
The center offers evacuated meals and access to facilities that include showers and laundry, and serves as supply collection location.
On Friday, a helicopter crashed into a lake while helping to fight the forest fire.
A statement from the Canada Transport Security Board said on Saturday that the Airbus pilot as 350 B3 had minor injuries.
“We are currently collecting data and information about the occurrence, while evaluating the next steps,” the statement said.
Environment Canada’s Air quality health index forecasts a low risk for much of the province for Tuesday. He has issued special statements of air quality for the counties of Annapolis and Queens.
The New Scotland forest fire board says that there are three active forest fires in the province. Long Lake, which began last Wednesday, is the only one that appears as out of control. A small forest fire in Digby County and the Lake Bayers fire in Halifax are considered under control.
