Town of Sunnyside has water again, but residents say better supply is needed to avoid another ‘panic'
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CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Firefighters work to protect homes in West Dalhousie, N.S., as they keep an eye on Hurricane Erin
Crews continue to focus their efforts and build dozer guards on the north side of Nova Scotia's largest wildfire as they prepare for Hurricane Erin, which is expected to bring strong winds to the region starting Friday. The Department of Natural Resources says it has been monitoring the storm all week and preparing for possible impacts. ADVERTISEMENT 'We are expecting wind shifts and wind increases as the storm passes,' explained Scott Tingley, DNR's manager of forest protection, during a news conference Thursday afternoon. DNR Department of Natural Resources wildfire fighters sign a Nova Scotia flag during a quick break for lunch. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia) 'That's a big focus of the crews on the firefight now is, we put a lot of energy and focus and most of the resources on securing and suppressing up along the north end of the fire, where it's in and around the community of West Dalhousie.' The Long Lake wildfire is still considered out of control but it hasn't grown in size in a few days. The fire, which started on Aug. 13, is still estimated to be roughly 3,210 hectares. Jim Rudderham, director of fleet and forest protection for DNR, said they aren't ready to classify the wildfire as 'being held' just yet, as things could change as Erin approaches. 'Obviously, with this weather system coming through we don't know, so it's still classed as out of control,' he explained. 'We don't know where the fire is going to go, so that's why it's not classed as being held yet.' The Long Lake wildfire is close to a number of homes, a community hall, and a couple communications towers, but those structures have not been damaged. DNR officials say crews are working hard to protect the homes, especially ahead of any potential wind shifts with Erin. 'They've been using heavy equipment to build a fire break or a fire guard around the perimeter on the north side, so that's meant to remove fuel from out in front of the fire, and they've been suppressing that active perimeter, so that's where the fixed-wing water bombers have been focusing, that's where the helicopters will be focusing,' said Tingley. 'They're focusing on just really trying to make that as cold as they can ahead of these wind shifts on the weekend, to mitigate as much as possible any potential spread that could result from the wind shifts.' DNR says crews will pull back if conditions become dangerous. 'If it's really dangerous, they know enough to get themselves out, and they will,' said Rudderham. 'We don't expect them to stay anywhere that's unsafe for them. So, if they're on the ground and they have a wind shift, they will remove themselves.' Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall in Nova Scotia and is not expected to bring any significant weather to the area, other than strong winds and surf. Extra resources arrive in Nova Scotia There are two other wildfires burning in Nova Scotia Thursday, but they are both under control. The following resources were working in the province Thursday: 22 firefighters from Ontario five from P.E.I. 52 DNR firefighters 44 local volunteer firefighters 43 DNR support staff 37 pieces of heavy equipment. Rudderham said there are now two air tanker groups in the province, including one from the Northwest Territories, and group from Manitoba, which arrived on Wednesday. Three helicopters from Saskatchewan also landed in Nova Scotia on Wednesday and more firefighters are still expected from Ontario. Canadian Forces Base Greenwood is housing the planes and their crews. Cory Isenor Department of Natural Resources wildfire firefighter Cory Isenor holds a World War II memorial cross of a plane crash that he saved from burning in the fire. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia) Evacuation centre reinstates 24-hour operations The evacuation centre at the NSCC Annapolis Valley campus in Middleton will operate on a 24-hour basis on Thursday and Friday. 'Operating the Reception Centre 24 hours over the next two days will give evacuees peace of mind and access to support during a time of uncertainty,' said Brian Orde with the Annapolis Regional Emergency Management Organization. 'By registering and using the available services, residents help us allocate resources where they are needed most and plan next steps effectively.' The Municipality of the County of Annapolis says it will reassess the need for 24-hour operations based on the number of evacuees using the shelter and the evolving situation. The evacuation order was issued last Thursday for 107 homes, affecting roughly 215 people. Long Lake firefighter A woman sprays down a burnt out area around a communications tower near the Long Lake wildfire. (Government of Nova Scotia) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Number of active wildfires drops to 19 in New Brunswick, 5 still out of control
An area destroyed by the Oldfield Road wildfire in the Miramichi, N.B., area is seen on Aug. 15, 2025. (New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources) The New Brunswick government says 19 active wildfires are burning in the province Thursday, down from 20 Wednesday afternoon. Of those: ADVERTISEMENT 12 are being patrolled two are contained Five wildfires are still out of control: 250 - Chief's 256 - Beaver Lake Stream 258 - Ruisseau à Eloi 276 - Mount Goold 281 - Rocky Brook The province says the situation may change and numbers may evolve throughout the day. The government is asking people to avoid travelling in the affected areas unless necessary to allow emergency crews to do their work. No structures have been lost due to the wildfires in the province and there have been no serious injuries. The province has created a phone line for people who have questions about the wildfire: 1-833-301-0334. Information is also available on the Fire Watch page and the Public Fires Dashboard. Oldfield Road fire The province's largest wildfire – the Oldfield Road fire in the Miramichi area – is still estimated to be 1,403 hectares. The fire, which has been burning since Aug. 6, became contained Monday morning. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Route 8 reopens The section of Route 8 north of Miramichi that was closed due to wildfires is now open. New Brunswick's Emergency Management Organization is asking motorists to use caution when travelling through the area, as the fire is not fully out, and firefighters are still working on the Oldfield Road fire. It is also asking motorists not to stop on road shoulders to take photos and to watch for animals as wildlife fences have been removed in some areas. City of Miramichi reopens some trails All Crown land remains closed in New Brunswick, but the City of Miramichi reopened the following trails on Thursday: French Fort Cove Mill Bank Morrison Cove The Over the Cove zipline and boat rentals at French Fort Cove have also reopened. The city says all other trails will remain closed to ATV use. A provincewide ban on burning is still in effect. Evacuations There are no evacuation orders in effect at this time. Residents living in areas close to wildfire activity are advised to be prepared to evacuate on short notice and prepare an emergency kit just in case. 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 Wildfire status When wildfires burn, the following terms are used to describe their status: out of control – still spreading and not contained being monitored – a known, out-of-control fire that is not immediately threatening life or infrastructure, monitored by aircraft or satellite with no resources currently assigned contained – surrounded by barriers, such as lakes, roads, and fire lines, but still burning and could spread under control – surrounded and stable; low activity, minimal risk of escape being patrolled – contained with little to no fire activity; crews monitoring hotspots out – fully extinguished; no smoke for at least 24 hours fire of note – a fire requiring significant resources or threatening homes or critical infrastructure For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Low water levels not putting Rideau Canal at risk, but southern parts shallower
Parks Canada says the lack of rain this summer and the lower water levels along the Rideau River watershed are not putting the Rideau Canal's navigation season at risk, but there are some shallower spots in the southern section of the system. On Tuesday, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) issued a 'Level 3 – Severe' low water advisory for the Rideau River. 'A Level 3 low water advisory is not a declaration of an emergency, but an indicator of significant dry conditions and impacts observed across the Rideau Valley watershed,' the conservation authority said in a news release Tuesday. The RVCA said Parks Canada is actively monitoring water levels throughout the Rideau Canal system to ensure the canal remains navigable. In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Parks Canada said water in the canal system has been receding faster than normal, but efforts are in place to ensure boating can continue. 'Due to significantly low amounts of rain in June, July, and August, and sustained heat, the levels have been receding faster than normal, especially in the lakes with a broad surface and shallow depth, subject to higher evaporative losses,' a statement said. 'Parks Canada has implemented management measures to conserve water to support navigation while balancing the needs of shoreline residents, municipalities, and ecosystems across the watershed.' The northern part of the Rideau Canal system, from Ottawa to Smiths Falls, remains within normal navigation range, Parks Canada said, but the southern sector from the Newboro Lockstation to Kingston Mills is shallower than usual. 'The available draft from Newboro Lockstation to Kingston Mills Lockstation has been reduced from the standard 5 feet to 4 feet 7 inches. Based on current weather forecasts, it is anticipated that the draft will decrease further to 4 feet 5 inches by Aug. 25, 2025,' Parks Canada said. This means that deeper or heavier boats might not have the same amount of water available between their hulls and the bottom of the canal in those areas. Boaters with such vessels are asked to contact Parks Canada for information. 'Boaters travelling within this section of the Rideau Canal with vessels drawing more than 4 feet are asked to contact the Rideau Canal to verify current water levels prior to travel: 613‑283‑5170,' Parks Canada said. Ottawa has seen 13. 3 millimetres of rain so far in August and Kingston has received 31 mm. The monthly normal for both areas is 79 mm, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
