Weather conditions cause Long Lake wildfire to double in size
David Steeves, a Department of Natural Resources public information officer, said at a media conference Saturday that the spread of the fire resulted from changes in humidity and wind that created extreme conditions.
"As the day went on and temperatures increased, our relative humidity dropped," he said, "and when that happens, fuels become more susceptible to spread.
"That, mixed with a little bit of wind, created for some relatively explosive situations."
Steeves said he is worried about Saturday and Sunday as conditions that could fuel the fire remain.
Meanwhile, a helicopter pilot involved in a crash on Friday at the wildfire scene is "doing well," the province said in a series of social media posts Saturday.
"Our pilot is doing well and we appreciate the outpouring of support from Nova Scotians. Our crews on the ground are doing well and keeping up the fight on the fire."
Jim Rudderham, the director of fleet and forest protection for the province, said the helicopter ended up in Fivefinger Lake.
He said he could not provide more details on what caused the incident because of an ongoing investigation. The helicopter is out of commission.
Two contracted helicopters are part of the firefighting effort at Long Lake today. There are 44 Natural Resources firefighters, another five from P.E.I., and 30 from the local area.
State of local emergency
As the wildfire near West Dalhousie, N.S., continues to burn out of control, the Municipality of the County of Annapolis has declared a state of local emergency.
A news release from the municipality said the measure is being taken to protect the health, safety and welfare of people in the area.
"During this time, residents are expected to follow all official instructions and directives from emergency officials," the release says.
"The declaration also prohibits the inflation of prices for essential goods and services, ensuring residents have fair access to what they need during this crisis."
According to the release, the state of local emergency remains in effect for seven days unless renewed or terminated.
A fire in the Upper Hoyt Lake/Lower Hoyt Lake area, also in Annapolis County, is under control.
More than 100 houses have been evacuated near West Dalhousie, affecting 215 people.
Surprise evacuation
One family was surprised to learn they had to evacuate on Thursday.
Meghan Yelland and her husband, Michael Zeeman, received an evacuation order to leave their house on Morse Road.
"We weren't actually expecting to be evacuated because the fire seemed to be shifting away from us. We couldn't even see smoke," she said on Friday. "And then, at 7:40 p.m., we got the evacuation notice."
She is pregnant and due next month, and says she was scrambling to pack essentials from the baby nursery after she received the evacuation order.
The couple was able to get themselves and their pets out of the house. They are staying with a friend, waiting for updates on the fire and hoping for the best.
The evacuation order currently in place applies to:
The Dalhousie Road intersection to 484 Morse Rd.
West Dalhousie Road from civic addresses 4530 to 6186.
Thorn Road from civic addresses 2648 to 3408.
Medicraft Lane with the civic addresses 122, 126 and 126 Unit 2.
The wildfire at Susies Lake is under control. Personnel from the Department of Natural Resources and the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services are back on the scene on Saturday.
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