Bayers Lake wildfire still being held, community outpatient centre reopens

13 hours ago

A wildfire is seen burning in the Bayers Lake area of Halifax on Aug. 12, 2025. (Submitted: Kirk Shand)
A wildfire that has been burning since Tuesday in the Bayers Lake business park and shopping district of Halifax is still being held.
Susies Lake wildfire is still being held – not currently growing. 30 DN and 6 Halifax Fire and Emergency firefighters on scene this morning, working to get it under control. Updates through the day. pic.twitter.com/zZuEAjFlFw — Natural Resources (@NS_DNR) August 15, 2025
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said in a Friday morning update the fire is not growing. Officials believe it will soon be contained.
Thirty DNR crew members and six Halifax Fire and Emergency firefighters are currently at the scene working to get it under control.
The fire started around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the woods behind a building on Julius Boulevard and Dugger McNeil Drive near Susies Lake.
Bayers Lake Fire
A fire is pictured burning in the Julius Boulevard and Dugger McNeil Drive area of Bayers Lake, N.S., on Aug.12, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Callum Smith)
At one point, it was estimated to be about 25 to 30 hectares in size. At last update, it was still around 15 hectares.
The cause is still under investigation, but the province confirmed Wednesday it was started by human activity.
Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre reopens
Nova Scotia Health says the Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre will reopen Friday.
The Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre will reopen Friday, Aug. 15. Any appointments already rescheduled or relocated at other sites will remain at those new times and locations. All other activity Friday and beyond will continue as originally scheduled at Bayers Lake. pic.twitter.com/PNLf82bHwU — Nova Scotia Health (@HealthNS) August 14, 2025
The centre, which offers medical services and clinics, had been closed since it was evacuated Tuesday afternoon.
Any appointments that were already rescheduled or relocated to other sites will remain at those new times and locations.
Mandatory evacuation order lifted Thursday
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 Thursday morning.
However, Julius Boulevard, from the intersection with Dugger McNeil Drive to the intersection with Susie Lake Crescent, remains closed due to the firefighting efforts.
Access to Susie Lake Crescent is available via Chain Lake Drive.
Halifax Transit's Route 28 Bayers Lake returned to regular routing after the mandatory evacuation order was lifted.
Other Nova Scotia wildfires
There are several other wildfires burning in the province, including a large one near Long Lake in West Dalhousie, N.S.
As of Friday morning, the fire is measuring 406 hectares and is still considered out of control.
Long Lake fire in West Dalhousie still out of control. Size still estimated at 406 hectares. Same air resources as yesterday. 33 DNR and 10 local firefighters on scene. Heavy equipment continuing fire barrier work. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/uQOHqLZZgJ — Natural Resources (@NS_DNR) August 15, 2025
DNR says 30 of its crew members and 10 local firefighters are on scene along with air resources.
More residents in the area were told evacuate their homes 'immediately' Thursday evening.
The initial evacuation order, which was issued Thursday morning, applies to people living at civic addresses #4094 to #5315 West Dalhousie Road. Officials say it affects roughly 42 homes.
The expanded evacuation order applies to the Dalhousie Road intersection to 484 Morse Rd.; 4530 to 6186 West Dalhousie Rd.; 2648 to 3408 Thorne Rd.; and 122, 126 and 126-Unit 2 Medicraft Ln.
West Dalhousie fire
A wildfire in West Dalhousie, N.S., is pictured on Aug. 13, 2025. (Courtesy: Valley Eye Photography)
The Durland Lake Brook fire, which is part of the Long Lake complex, is now estimated at 0.5 hectares and is being held. Five DNR crews and a dozen firefighters are at the scene.
A wildfire near Hoyt Lake is still one hectare and is also being held with two DNR firefighters on scene.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page

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How farmers and government are trying to reduce avian flu risk in B.C.'s Fraser Valley

CTV News

19 minutes ago

CTV News

How farmers and government are trying to reduce avian flu risk in B.C.'s Fraser Valley

There will be new defense measures in the Fraser Valley this fall to try and prevent flocks from getting infected with avian flu. There will be new defence measures in place in B.C.'s Fraser Valley this fall to try and prevent poultry flocks from getting infected with avian flu. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has announced a $2.5-million program to help egg and poultry producers in the region. Funding through the Novel Tools and Technologies Program will allow dozens of farmers to install protective equipment on their properties. 'There's about $30,000 for 75 egg and poultry producers to add things into their barns like HEPA filters, to install ultra-violet light systems, before we get to the point of having avian influenza coming to the province in September,' said Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, in an interview with CTV News. 'It's a really difficult disease to fight because it's like having an invisible enemy,' Popham said. In a statement, Kevin Klippenstein, chair of the B.C. Chicken Marketing Board and B.C. Poultry Emergency Operations Centre, said farmers, researchers and government worked together to find 'practical, science-based solutions to a complex disease challenge.' 'By investing in tools and technology that reduce the risk of avian influenza, we're helping ensure British Columbians can continue to count on a safe, sustainable supply of chicken, turkey and eggs, while also supporting the well-being of farmers who have been on the front lines of this battle for years,' he said. The virus has resulted in about 9 million birds being killed in B.C. since 2022. 'The anxiety about avian influenza is real and it does weigh on producers. Nobody wants to have to go through that,' said farmer Ray Nickel, who is also part of the B.C. Chicken Marketing Board. He lost 9,000 turkeys last year when his barn was infected with avian flu. It was the second time the virus had shown up at one of his farms, despite strict biosecurity measures. Brad Driediger of Windberry Farms in Abbotsford lost 60,000 birds after an avian flu infection last winter. 'Once it happens on your own farm, to go through that process is very difficult,' he said. He said through research and collaboration with the province, farmers and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, work has been done to try and lessen the impact of avian flu. Driediger said the group worked together to try and find solutions that could be implemented before this fall's migratory period. 'It was a priority of this working group to determine what could effectively be installed quickly,' said Driediger. His own farm has made changes to the ventilation system, using 'heat exchangers in conjunction with air filtration,' Driediger explained. 'We're evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of those technologies as they're implemented,' he added. 'To see if it's making a difference.' Driediger said he's 'very hopeful' the changes will do just that. Meanwhile, Nickel is using cooling pads in the barn as a means to filter air. 'I have filtration systems in those systems and so I can at least reduce the amount of dust and feathers that might come in through… the air intake,' he said. Dr. Martin Appelt of the CFIA said, 'The key element is really trying to avoid anything that creates a bridge between wild birds, their droppings and domestic poultry.' He said the CFIA had been working in the Fraser Valley, monitoring farms that suffered multiple outbreaks. The goal was to come up with a ranking of risks. He also said the CFIA is considering vaccination of birds. 'CFIA is working with the poultry industry at this point to start setting up a confined field trial to test some of the licensed vaccines in the Canadian context and to see how this could work for us,' Appelt explained.