Latest news with #ScottTingley
CBC
a day ago
- Climate
- CBC
N.S. heat wave sparks wildfire concerns
Watch Amy Smith's interview with Scott Tingley, the manager of forest protection for Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources. He says dry conditions are being reported throughout the province.
CBC
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Calling all Indiginerds: Elsipogtog First Nation set to host first ever comic-con event
For the first time ever, Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick will host Elsi-Con — its very own comic convention. The event promises something for everyone and was developed by Susan Levi-Peters, who came up with the idea while supporting her daughter, a digital artist. "People are really excited about this," said Levi-Peters. For years, Levi-Peters and her family have sold crafts and art at East Coast Comic Expo, a comic convention based in Moncton, N.B., to help fuel her daughter's creative passion. Through attending these events, Levi-Peters found herself inspired by the welcoming and creative community. "It'd be two days of us forgetting about everything and enjoying life," she said. "I wanted our whole community to experience the comic convention in Moncton, instead I brought it home." The result is Elsi-Con, a historic full day event packed with excitement hosted in Elsipogtog, a Mi'kmaw community 90 kilometres north of Moncton. Levi-Peters said she believes the cosplay aspect will be a big hit in Elsipogtog. "The most popular day in Elsipogtog is Halloween because Indians just love to dress up, people in Big Cove [Elsipogtog], anyway," said Levi-Peters. "I know they're gonna go all out." To help bring this vision to life, Levi-Peters connected with Scott Tingley and Brad MacDonald, two organizers of East Coast Comic Expo, during the show this past June. Tingley said lot of ideas with different organizations have come and gone, with nothing coming to fruition. But mere hours after mentioning the idea in June, Levi-Peters had the venue, Chief Young Eagle Hockey Arena, and security already booked. "The fact that it's the first time being done here was the selling feature for us," explained MacDonald. "That's historic." The duo said their Moncton-based expo draws in crowds of thousands to the area, and hope Elsi-Con will be the same. Support comes in East Coast Comic Expo is helping Elsipogtog organizers with the basics in organizing with the hope that the community will be able to grow this event in the future and become self-sufficient. "We absolutely don't have all the answers, but we know a lot of the right questions," said Tingley. Kylie Francis, Elsipogtog's recreation manager, is being trained in skills like hiring talent, organizing vendors, organizing artists and managing finances. "Everything is just falling into my lap," said Francis. "They're training me to continue [Elsi-Con]." Francis said she is especially excited to showcase talented artists from Elsipogtog, who haven't had the opportunity to take part in something like this before. "We're really excited to get them to come out and open up their vendor booths or just to show their art and their creativity," said Francis. "This is a space where they can feel safe and have fun." Susan Levi-Peters, said because of her community's support, she is confident the day-long event will go well. "Once they know how it is, they're gonna love it," she said. Elsi-Con is slated for Sat., Aug. 23 and is open to all. Organizers say they are still accepting vendor and sponsorship applications.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
High temperatures, dry conditions cause forest fire concern in Cape Breton
High temperatures and dry weather are raising concerns about wildfires in Cape Breton. With temperatures soaring and dry conditions around the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, some are casting a wary eye toward the woods. 'I am surrounded by trees, and you know what? Fire has always been a concern of mine,' said Sheilah MacDonald, a woodlot owner who lives on the Morrison Road just outside of Sydney. With wildfires burning on the Bonavista Peninsula in Newfoundland, MacDonald is worried they could happen where she lives. 'I put together a 'go bag' in the event of a fire, because if one comes through there's really nothing I can do about it," MacDonald said. Most parts of Nova Scotia are currently under burn restrictions. The forest protection manager for the province's Department of Natural Resources, Scott Tingley, said rainfall has been below seasonal average - leaving water levels low in lakes, rivers and streams. 'As we see water levels or days without precipitation increase we see that forest floor and all that dead organic material. More and more that becomes available as fuel', Tingley said. North Sydney Volunteer Fire chief Lloyd MacIntosh said most people follow the safety rules including burn bans but it is even more important to be vigilant right now. 'It wouldn't be too hard to set a fire in conditions like this,' MacIntosh said. 'If you can walk on the grass and the grass is crunchy, that's too dry. Sometimes it's just luck that keeps things safe and right now I'd say we're in a lucky position. We have to be careful. People have to be careful.' Beaches are another casualty of the warm conditions. Oakfield Park Beach outside Halifax is closed to swimming because of a possible blue-green algae bloom. MacDonald said she has an exit strategy in case a wildfire breaks out but she's still afraid. 'It doesn't make it any less nerve-wracking, considering the number of trees that are down in the woods right now after Fiona,' she said. Tingley sad one saving grace might be the high humidity, which he says can help reduce forest fire risk. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Ostrea Lake wildfire now under control: Nova Scotia DNR
A wildfire burning in Ostrea Lake, N.S., - 60 kilometres east of Halifax - is pictured from the air on June 22, 2025. (Courtesy: Keigan Miller) Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNR) says the wildfire in the Ostrea Lake area is now under control and only six hectares in size. Ostrea Lake wildfire is now under control. Size estimate is now 6 hectares based on walking perimeter and better visibility. 20 DNR firefighters still on scene with HRM Fire & Emergency. Work will continue on hot spots for a couple of days. This is our final update on this fire. — Natural Resources (@NS_DNR) June 23, 2025 According to DNR, around 20 of its firefighters are still on scene with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, and work is expected to continue on hot spots for a couple days. Earlier on Monday, DNR said the fire was being held at an estimated 30 hectares. Residents were allowed to return to their homes when the evacuation order was lifted around 12:30 p.m. The forest manager with DNR, Scott Tingley, said Monday there were no reports of structure losses or damage, and the cause and origin of the fire was still under investigation. 'Challenging conditions' The wildfire was first reported Sunday afternoon. In a statement on Sunday, Halifax Professional Fire Fighters said firefighters were facing 'extremely challenging conditions' and were pulled from the woods for safety reasons at a point. Firefighters said the conditions at that time were serious and fueled by thick brush and dry vegetation. Later in the day Sunday, firefighters said rain in the area was helping crews battle the wildfire. Evacuation orders The RCMP issued an evacuation order for the Ostrea Lake area Sunday afternoon but some people were allowed to return to their homes Sunday night. A comfort and evacuation centre opened at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour for evacuees. It closed Monday once residents were allowed to return to their homes. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
23-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Forest fire on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore did not grow overnight: Natural Resources
Firefighters are back on the scene of a forest fire burning on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore this morning, as some homes in the area remain evacuated. Crew were called to the fire along Ostrea Lake Road near Musquodoboit Harbour, about 50 kilometres northeast of Halifax, on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters were initially pulled from the forest due to dry, gusty conditions, and were redirected to focus on protecting structures. But following some rain Sunday evening, the Natural Resources Department said the fire was being held at 30 hectares and crews would resume battling the blaze on Monday. Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection with Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources, said the fire did not grow overnight and 20 department staff members are on site this morning. He said no structures have been lost. "They did a great job to contain it," Tingley told CBC's Informing Morning Nova Scotia on Monday. "Their biggest challenge in there is kind of the scrubby, rough terrain. On the ground it's slow going. They've had to cut a lot of trails for crew safety … but they are making progress and getting hose around the fire." Tingley said the four to five millimetres of rain received over the area Sunday evening did help. Tankers with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency are also on scene and a helicopter is on standby. He said crews will be focused on extinguishing hot spots today. Conservation officers will also be on hand to try to determine the cause of the blaze. Dozens of nearby homes were evacuated due to the fire, but the Halifax Regional Municipality said some people will be allowed to return home Sunday evening. An evacuation order remains in place for Reflection Lane, Heselton Drive and Ostrea Lake Road from civic number 320 to the south as far as civic number 655. An evacuation centre was set up at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour. The Halifax Regional Municipality has advised those close to the fire to shut all windows and doors, turn off air exchangers and stay inside until air quality improves.
