La Ronge residents flee homes as wildfires continue to burn communities
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CTV News
25 minutes ago
- CTV News
Bayers Lake businesses allowed to reopen as wildfire is held at 15 hectares
Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources says a wildfire in Halifax was caused by human activity. Businesses in the Bayers Lake area of Halifax are allowed to reopen Thursday as a wildfire in the area is being held. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says the Susies Lake wildfire is not growing and is still around 15 hectares. DNR says 30 crew members and 12 Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency firefighters are on site Thursday and are still working to bring it under control. The Halifax Regional Municipality says there is still no threat to residents and structures at this time. The fire near the busy business park and shopping district started around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the woods behind a building on Julius Boulevard and Dugger McNeil Drive. At one point, it was estimated to be about 25 to 30 hectares in size. The cause is still under investigation, but the province confirmed Wednesday that it was started by human activity. 'It was an open fire. There was nobody in the area when the crews arrived on scene,' said Scott Tingley of the Department of Natural Resources during a news conference. 'That makes it impossible to hold the person or people responsible to account and that's frustrating for everyone.' Officials declined to release any additional details, including whether there was an encampment in the area. Evacuation order lifted for businesses The mandatory evacuation order for businesses in the plaza on the west side of Chain Lake Drive, between the off-ramp for Highway 2 to Julius Boulevard, was lifted at 11 a.m. Thursday. The order included civic addresses at 205, 213 and 225 Chain Lake Drive. However, Julius Boulevard, from the intersection with Dugger McNeil Drive to the intersection with Susie Lake Crescent, remains closed due to the firefighting efforts. Barriers will be in place and Halifax Regional Police remain on scene. Access to Susie Lake Crescent is available via Chain Lake Drive. Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre to reopen Friday While the mandatory evacuation order has been lifted, Nova Scotia Health says the Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre will remain closed Thursday 'due to the unpredictable nature' of the wildfire. The health authority says the centre will reopen Friday. Any Friday appointments that were already rescheduled or relocated to other sites will remain at those new times and locations. The centre, which offers medical services and clinics, has been closed since it was evacuated Tuesday afternoon. Patients who booked blood collection appointments at the Bayers Lake site for Thursday are asked to attend the Bayers Road blood collection clinic at the same scheduled time. Electrocardiogram patients booked at Bayers Lake for Thursday will be accommodated at the Cobequid Community Health Centre at their regularly scheduled appointment time. Halifax Transit HRM says Route 28 Bayers Lake has returned to regular routing now that the mandatory evacuation order has been lifted. Other Nova Scotia wildfires There are several other wildfires burning in the province, including one near Long Lake that has prompted a mandatory evacuation order in West Dalhousie, N.S. The evacuation order applies to people living at civic addresses #4094 to #5315 West Dalhousie Road. Those people have been told to leave their homes 'immediately' and go to the Bridgetown Fire Hall. The Long Lake fire grew to 30 hectares overnight and is considered out of control. A wildfire near Hoyt Lake is also out of control but is down to one hectare. DNR says 30 crew members have been assigned to Long Lake while seven DNR firefighters are working near Hoyt Lake. One DNR helicopter and two contracted helicopters are working on both fires. Crews are putting a dozer guard around the West Dalhousie Community Centre and two communication towers. A wildfire at Lake Paul is still being held at 1.9 hectares and is not growing at this time. Ten DNR crew members and 10 local fire department firefighters are on scene. Six small wildfires in the Birchwood Road area of Oxford are all under control. DNR says crews will remain on site until they are fully extinguished. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
25 minutes ago
- CTV News
Miramichi-area fire 1 of 4 out of control in New Brunswick, measuring more than 1,300 hectares
Smoke from the Miramichi fire billows is the sky. (Source: Government of New Brunswick. The New Brunswick government says the Oldfield Road fire in the Miramichi area is still out of control Thursday. The Miramichi-area fire continues to measure more than 1,300 hectares and is one of four considered out of control in the province, including Maple Glen, Caché and Chief's. There are 11 additional fires burning in the province, nine are being patrolled and two are considered contained. The province says multiple new lightning starts are under review and no structure losses have been reported at this time. Resources Fourteen air tankers, three helicopters and 177 firefighters are battling fires in New Brunswick. The government says, if weather permits, two more helicopters will arrive in the province Friday. Firefighters from Maine, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia continue to provide assistance. In case of evacuation The province is reminding residents to have an emergency kit stocked in case of evacuation. The kit should include necessities for at least 72 hours, such as: water food flashlight radio batteries first aid masks (for smoke filtration) prescription medications pet food 'Wildfires can move quickly, and not everyone may be able to get information or leave safely on their own. During an evacuation, take a moment to check on those around you,' reads a news release from the government. 'Lend a hand where you can, and have your own plan ready to go.' Advisory vs alert The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization wants to make sure residents understand the difference between two different terms – evacuation advisory and evacuation alert. 'Evacuation advisory - Be ready to leave on short notice. Pack essentials (ID, medication, pets, emergency kit) and be prepared to go quickly if conditions change,' reads a post on social media from the organization. 'Evacuation alert - Leave immediately. This means the wildfire poses an imminent risk. Follow the instructions in the Alert Ready notification and go to the designated safe location. Staying informed helps you act quickly and safely.' The organization has also opened 15 comfort centres across the province to allow people the chance to cool down and charge their electronics. Woods and fire bans in effect A provincewide burn ban is in effect and all Crown lands are closed. Residents are not allowed to hike, camp, fish or use vehicles in the woods at this time, and all trail systems through the woods are off-limits. Camping is only allowed in official campgrounds, but the province is asking people to reconsider their camping plans until the forest fire risk decreases. Private property owners are being encouraged to follow the same restrictions. Forestry operations such as harvesting, forwarding, skidding, scarification, chipping and all pre-commercial thinning and cleaning, are also prohibited. 'This is for your safety, the safety of your communities and the safety of firefighters putting their lives on the line,' said Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin during Monday's news conference. 'Please remain outside the forests, we can't repeat it enough.' In Miramichi, the city has closed the following trails: French Fort Cove Millbank Nature Trails Morrison Cove Trails The province is also urging residents to stay away from the wildfires and give the firefighters space to do their jobs. 'Now is not the time for fire tourism,' said New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt. 'There have been people who have wanted to get that great picture for social media, but we need to keep our roads and our emergency areas as clear as possible.' Water conservation The City of Miramichi is urging residents to conserve water by: avoiding washing vehicles, watering lawns, or filling pools using appliances only with full loads taking short showers installing low-flow faucets where possible repairing plumbing leaks promptly Air Quality The City of Miramichi says there is a high probability of smoke affecting air quality in certain areas. Air quality issues can cause eye or throat irritation and shortness of breath. The city says to contact a physician or Tele-Care 811 is symptoms worsen and to call 911 if you are in severe distress. Vulnerable groups include: infants children pregnant women older adults smokers people with chronic heart/lung disease For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Officials urge caution as 'explosive' wildfire hits Vancouver Island
Local leaders and wildfire officials share their response plan to the Mount Underwood wildfire burning near Port Alberni, B.C.
