Latest news with #CBRM
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CBRM to ask province for help with cost of cleaning up derelict properties
Cape Breton Regional Municipality plans to ask the province for help cleaning up derelict properties after fires destroyed two structures in Glace Bay last week, underscoring the danger of old, vacant buildings. Officials say the municipality simply can't afford to tackle the large number of properties in CBRM that need attention. "Unfortunately, statistically, I think we are in Nova Scotia the highest per capita with hundreds of vacant properties, dangerous and unsightly, and in the midst of trying to grow, we're trying to deal with some of the blights of the past," Mayor Cecil Clarke said. "The two recent structure fires in Glace Bay just highlighted the impact of abandoned properties and ... what it means to the bottom line." A fire on July 10 took out an empty warehouse next to an active fish plant and several hours later, a separate blaze consumed the former Morrison school, which is surrounded by homes. Clarke said the cost of demolishing the remains of the former school alone is about $300,000, and that's money CBRM likely will not be able to recover from the building owner. According to provincial property records, the building is owned by the non-profit Glace Bay & Area Y's Men & Women's Club. A CBRM spokesperson said the building was up for tax sale with $87,400 in taxes and other costs owing to the municipality. It went to tax sale three times over the last year and was not sold. It was scheduled to go up again later this month with the price reduced to $7,900, which is a year's outstanding taxes. However, whether it makes it to the next tax sale is now in doubt because of the fire. At Tuesday's council meeting, Coun. Dave MacKeigan got unanimous approval from his colleagues to have the mayor reach out to the minister of municipal affairs to seek financial help. There are roughly 400 derelict properties in CBRM. The municipality removes up to 80 a year from the list, but others get added to the list every year, as well. Most are empty homes, but about 10 per cent are large commercial buildings. Others are former school buildings that once belonged to the province — something the Nova Scotia government should bear in mind, said Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald. "We do not have the financial capacity and resources to deal with them, and I think consideration should be given that it was their buildings in the past and it should remain their responsibility," MacDonald said. Clarke said he intends to ask for a meeting with the province as soon as possible. The Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department has been preparing and practising with other departments for at least two years in case of a fire at the former Morrison school. Ten departments responded to the alarm call, providing protection for neighbouring homes. No one was hurt and no other properties were damaged in the fires, but Clarke said the next incident could end in tragedy. "All it would take is a change in wind direction and we could be talking a much larger disaster and a much more pressing discussion with the minister," he said. MORE TOP STORIES
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Cape Breton fire officials say wildfire is no longer growing
Social Sharing Fire officials in Cape Breton say a wildfire burning in the Sydney area of Kytes Hill and Grand Lake remains active but is no longer growing. Officials say the fire got to about two kilometres from some homes. The fire was held by ground crews with air support from a DNR helicopter. Christina Lamey, a spokesperson for Cape Breton Regional Municipality, said electricity in the area was turned off to more than 3,000 customers to support firefighting efforts but it has since been restored. In an update on Facebook at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, CBRM said the fire has not grown since Saturday evening. It is now 2.1 hectares in size. Three fire stations remain on the scene with the DNR and a helicopter is on standby. Rain is in the forecast for Sunday evening and is expected to continue until Monday, said the municipality.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildland fire in subdivision near Sydney, N.S., under control
A wildland fire behind a subdivision near Sydney, N.S., is under control. Around 5 p.m. Saturday, Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) said crews were responding to a fire in the area of the Kytes Hill subdivision. It said the fire was near heavy transmission power lines. About 30 minutes later, CBRM said there was a 'deliberate power outage' to support the firefighting efforts on the ground and in the air. Approximately 3,000 customers were impacted. 'The location of the fire threatened key power lines and was located approximately two kilometres from homes,' said a CBRM news release. Sydney Wildland Fire A wildland fire broke out in Sydney, N.S., Saturday, July 19, 2025. (Source: Facebook/Cape Breton Regional Municipality) A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) firefighting helicopter was brought in to assist. Nova Scotia Power was also on site and restored power around 7 p.m. While crews were fighting the fire, the public was told to stay away from access roads to the area. The municipality said the fire was brought under control around 9 p.m. 'with CBRM based wildland equipment and DNR helicopter support.' Fire danger risk According to Natural Resources Canada's Fire Weather Maps, much of Cape Breton is at a high to extreme fire danger risk. The index illustrates how easy it is to ignite vegetation, how difficult a fire may be to control, and how much damage a fire may do. Sydney Wildland Fire A wildland fire broke out in Sydney, N.S., Saturday, July 19, 2025. (Source: Facebook/Cape Breton Regional Municipality) Additionally, all of Nova Scotia was under a burn ban as of Saturday. Burn restrictions are updated daily at 2 p.m. The municipality may see some temporary relief Sunday into Monday with showers in the forecast but it's expected to be warm and sunny at least until Friday. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Cape Breton fire officials say wildfire is under control
Social Sharing Fire officials in Cape Breton say a wildfire burning in the Sydney area of Kytes Hill and Grand Lake is now under control. Officials say the fire got to about 2 kilometers from some homes. The fire was brought under control with support from a DNR helicopter and CBRM-based equipment. Christina Laney, a spokesperson for Cape Breton Regional Municipality, said electricity in the area had been turned off to thousands of customers to support firefighting efforts but it has since been restored.
CBC
16-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
CBRM to ask province for help with cost of cleaning up derelict properties
Cape Breton Regional Municipality plans to ask the province for help cleaning up derelict properties after fires destroyed two structures in Glace Bay last week, underscoring the danger of old, vacant buildings. Officials say the municipality simply can't afford to tackle the large number of properties in CBRM that need attention. "Unfortunately, statistically, I think we are in Nova Scotia the highest per capita with hundreds of vacant properties, dangerous and unsightly, and in the midst of trying to grow, we're trying to deal with some of the blights of the past," Mayor Cecil Clarke said. "The two recent structure fires in Glace Bay just highlighted the impact of abandoned properties and ... what it means to the bottom line." A fire on July 10 took out an empty warehouse next to an active fish plant and several hours later, a separate blaze consumed the former Morrison school, which is surrounded by homes. Clarke said the cost of demolishing the remains of the former school alone is about $300,000, and that's money CBRM likely will not be able to recover from the building owner. According to provincial property records, the building is owned by the non-profit Glace Bay & Area Y's Men & Women's Club. A CBRM spokesperson said the building was up for tax sale with $87,400 in taxes and other costs owing to the municipality. It went to tax sale three times over the last year and was not sold. It was scheduled to go up again later this month with the price reduced to $7,900, which is a year's outstanding taxes. However, whether it makes it to the next tax sale is now in doubt because of the fire. At Tuesday's council meeting, Coun. Dave MacKeigan got unanimous approval from his colleagues to have the mayor reach out to the minister of municipal affairs to seek financial help. There are roughly 400 derelict properties in CBRM. The municipality removes up to 80 a year from the list, but others get added to the list every year, as well. Most are empty homes, but about 10 per cent are large commercial buildings. Others are former school buildings that once belonged to the province — something that should be kept in mind, said Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald. "We do not have the financial capacity and resources to deal with them, and I think consideration should be given that it was their buildings in the past and it should remain their responsibility," MacDonald said. Clarke said he intends to ask for a meeting with the province as soon as possible. The Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department has been preparing and practising with other departments for at least two years in case of a fire at the former Morrison school. Ten departments responded to the alarm call, providing protection for neighbouring homes. No one was hurt and no other properties were damaged in the fires, but Clarke said the next incident could end in tragedy. "All it would take is a change in wind direction and we could be talking a much larger disaster and a much more pressing discussion with the minister," he said.
