Crews fighting Annapolis Valley wildfire focused on protecting homes at risk

CBC

6 hours ago

The out-of-control wildfire in Nova Scotia's Annapolis County has not grown in size since Tuesday but continues to pose a threat to homes, provincial officials said in an update Wednesday afternoon.
The wildfire near the community of West Dalhousie is estimated to be 3,210 hectares, roughly 32 square kilometres.
Dave Steeves, a provincial public information officer, said the wildfire is not growing in size because of the determination of firefighters on scene.
"There has been an incredible amount of hard work, team work, overcoming adversity. It's been something to see to be honest with you," Steeves said.
"We will get through this, it's just not going to be today. But when this is all said and done, they should feel very proud of what they've been able to accomplish."
Steeves said homes that were at risk on Tuesday faced the same amount of risk on Wednesday. He said protecting structures remains a big priority for fire crews.
"They're continuing to focus on the northern area of the fire to do their best to ensure we can get this area wrapped and reinforce those guards with some good old-fashioned hose work as well," Steeves said.
Steeves said 22 firefighters from Ontario and five from P.E.I. are on scene to help. He said more than 95 Natural Resource staff, 25 volunteer fire department members and heavy machinery operators also worked on the fire on Wednesday.
Weather conditions in the Long Lake area were favourable on Wednesday, but the benefits from the nine to 10 millilitres of rain that fell a few days ago are gone as conditions get drier.
"The fire weather index remains high to very high and still extreme in several areas of the province. Most of the province is still under high to very high. We don't anticipate a significant reduction in that, there's still no significant rain in the immediate forecast that's going to change that situation," Scott Tingley, Nova Scotia's manager of forest protection said.
Tingley said crews are keeping an eye on Hurricane Erin and its potential impact on fighting wildfires this weekend.
"It's rare. I've been doing this over 20 years and this is the first time I've encountered this. We're used to getting rugged weather in this part of the country. I've dealt with high winds before," he said.
"One benefit with a system like this is we've had quite advanced notice that it's coming and working with the meteorologist and the growth modellers, we've had that advantage of multiple days to prepare. That's been a huge advantage."