Wildfire near Osoyoos now held, three properties under evacuation alert
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CBC
29 minutes ago
- CBC
Halifax wildfire was human caused, N.S. government confirms
Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources confirmed on Wednesday that an out-of-control wildfire in Halifax was human caused. During a news conference, manager of forest protection Scott Tingley said crews found an open fire when they arrived on scene on Tuesday afternoon, but whoever started the fire wasn't around. "That makes it impossible to hold the person or people responsible to account. And yeah, that's frustrating to everyone," Tingley told reporters. Tingley said a 911 call was placed at 2:24 p.m. on Tuesday to report the fire in the Susies Lake area near the north entrance to Bayers Lake Business Park, which is located about 10 kilometres west of downtown Halifax. In the last 24 hours, Tingley said crews have responded to 17 wildfires in the province because of the dry weather and "activities that are happening out there that shouldn't be" — including the one in Bayers Lake. He said in the past three weeks, DNR has responded to one or more reports every day. Most fires have been extinguished quickly, he said. A reporter asked Premier Tim Houston at the news conference about speculation the fire was connected to a homeless encampment. "The investigation in time will look at the what, the why, the how — all those types of things, but for right now the focus is just on containing the fire, fighting the fires and just reiterating to Nova Scotians it's a risky situation," Houston said. On Aug. 5, the province banned people from entering the woods under the Forest Act, saying the restriction is required given the high risk for wildfires. A ban on open fires is also in place. Travel and activity in the woods were also banned in May 2023 while the province battled two major wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes. Bans were also implemented in 2016 and 2001 due to fires and dry conditions. The province is also "strongly recommending" additional precautions for industrial and farm operations on private land which are not currently under the mandatory ban, which only covers commercial activity on Crown land. Those additional precautions include working only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 a.m.; fire suppression equipment on hand, and there must be a two-hour fire watch after work is completed. So far, the province has issued 12 fines to people breaking the woods ban and the burn ban. The fine is $25,000. Houston said he'd like to see each of those cases "fully prosecuted and collected." Houston was asked about criticism of the woods ban from federal Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner. On Wednesday, she said inaction from the federal government on wildfires has conditioned Canadians to expect the only response to be to restrict movement. Houston said he's not concerned about what people who don't live in Nova Scotia have to say about the province's measures to keep people safe. "I guess I find it remarkable the interest in travelling in Nova Scotia woods by people who aren't in Nova Scotia and probably haven't been here very much in their life. We're only concerned with keeping people safe. We'll do what's necessary to protect lives and that's what we're doing in this case," Houston said. When pressed further that the woods ban has been a flash point in some Canadian conservative circles with people concerned it is the first step in government climate lockdowns, Houston said he doesn't "have any time for any type of conspiracy theories." "We haven't had any rain in Nova Scotia since June, so the thoughts and opinions of people who haven't been in Nova Scotia, who don't know what it's like in Nova Scotia, who probably have never been in the woods in Nova Scotia in their life — the thoughts and concerns of those people are not a top priority for me right now," he said. "My top priority is keeping Nova Scotians safe." Houston said the next few weeks in Nova Scotia will be difficult because the province is a tinder box and rain is needed. "I know the restrictions that are in place aren't fun, but they're necessary," Houston said. WATCH | Aug 13. N.S. wildfire update:
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Lawn watering and car washing temporarily banned in Guelph
People living in Guelph will have to wait to shine up their vehicles as stricter water use restrictions have come into effect. On Wednesday, the city announced the Outside Water Use Program was moving from Level 1 'Yellow' to Level 2 'Red.' Under the heightened restrictions, lawn watering and car washing are not allowed, however residents can still water ornamental gardens between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. or 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., depending on where they live. Watering of vegetable gardens, trees and shrubs is allowed anytime. Anyone who doesn't adhere to the rules could face a fine or a court summons for each infraction. Financial penalties typically range from $150 to $550.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Newfoundland and Labrador's capital threatened by raging wildfires, thousands under evacuation alert
Thousands of people in Newfoundland and Labrador's capital city have been alerted to be ready to flee at a moment's notice as out-of-control wildfires in the province are now threatening urban centres. Crews are employing water bombers to slow the growth of raging flames in St. John's, near the Trans-Canada Highway, where at least 20,000 residents are under evacuation alert as of Wednesday. 'It's unnerving, really, because you don't know. It's living in the unknown,' said Olga Boland, who lives in Paradise, a suburb in the city close to the fire. Much of her area has been mandated to leave their homes, while other parts have been asked to be prepared. 'It's an uncomfortable feeling,' said her sister-in-law Paddy Boland, as the two of them shopped at a Costco on Danny Drive, a neighbourhood that is also under alert. 'We're not in the area where we are being so badly affected. But when I think about the areas of Newfoundland that are being devastated, it's absolutely heartbreaking. It's just terrible.' Where in Canada are there wildfire smoke warnings? Our map tracks air quality across the country Earlier in the day, Premier John Hogan told reporters at a briefing that four other significant wildfires in the province are continuing to destroy homes and properties, the largest of which has reached about 6,400 hectares in size. He said thick smoke and fumes have prevented officials from assessing the full extent of the recent damage. With forecasts showing heavy winds, extreme heat warnings and dry conditions, Mr. Hogan said fire behaviour is expected to remain hazardous in the coming days. That applies to 'almost the entirety of the province right now,' he added. 'As this continues to get worse over the last few days, it's very clear that all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians' level of anxiety continues to rise,' the Premier said Wednesday. 'There is a lot happening. There is a lot of serious, hard, dangerous work being done.' Canada has been experiencing some of the most destructive wildfires in recent decades this summer, adding up to a season that is on track to be the worst on record in terms of area burned, second only to 2023. Yumna Iftikhar is special to The Globe and Mail
