Halifax-area crews are making progress on forest fire near Bayers Lake
Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources said progress has been made on a wildfire that began in Halifax's Bayers Lake Business Park Tuesday afternoon, but it's still considered out of control.
In an update at 8:27 p.m., DNR estimated the fire — located in the wooded area behind Julius Boulevard and Dugger McNeil Drive behind the Kent Building Supplies store — is estimated to be between 25 and 30 hectares.
Twelve DNR firefighters and 30 Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency firefighters will be at the site overnight Tuesday. The update said one DNR helicopter is dropping water and three planes that were sent in from New Brunswick to help are returning home — but could come back if needed.
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Residents are being asked to avoid the Bayers Lake Business Park area.
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Chief Dave Meldrum told CBC News the call for the fire came in around 2:30 p.m. AT.
Halifax Fire had 13 trucks at the scene, about 10 kilometres west of downtown Halifax.
Four air tankers from New Brunswick arrived and actively dropped water on the fire.
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All businesses between Kent Building Supplies and Julius Boulevard were evacuated. Other businesses in the area have told CBC News they were asked to evacuate as well.
Overnight street closures
In an update at 7:30 p.m. AT, Halifax police said the following streets would be closed overnight:
Chain Lake Drive, between the Highway 102 off-ramp and Julius Boulevard (inbound lane only).
Julius Boulevard.
Susie Lake Crescent between Julius Boulevard and Hobsons Lake Drive.
Smoke billowing out behind a building in the Bayers Lake Business Park on Tuesday around 3:15 p.m. (Michael Gorman/CBC)
No residences have been evacuated at this stage, police told CBC News around 4 p.m. Meldrum said there is no current risk to structures.
"Lessening the traffic congestion will help crews respond to the fire and allow those evacuating to leave safely," police told CBC News in an email.
Nova Scotia Health confirmed the Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre was evacuated and that the facility's emergency response plans were being activated.
Poor air quality
Environment Canada and Nova Scotia's Department of Health and Wellness issued a special air quality statement on Tuesday afternoon, saying smoke from the Bayers Lake fire is reducing air quality in the metro Halifax and western Halifax County areas.
People aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, are considered higher risk and should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms, the statement said.
Evacuation alerts can happen suddenly. It's important to have a grab-and-go emergency kit ready throughout the wildfire season. (The Weather Network)
"As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events. You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough."
The statement recommended people keep doors and windows closed when indoors.
"When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool," the statement said.
Veronica MacIsaac was out for lunch at Jack Astor's in Bayers Lake when a friend spotted the smoke.
"Behind the side of Bayers Lake where the Giant Tiger would be, there was just a huge big cloud of smoke and it very quickly was spreading through the restaurant," MacIsaac told CBC News.
"And people were quickly paying their bills and trying to get out of there."
On Highway 102, wildfire smoke can be seen billowing from behind the Bayers Lake Business Park in Halifax. (Michael Gorman/CBC)
MacIsaac said one of the staff at the restaurant drove out to see what was happening and noted some areas were being evacuated and roads were closing.
"We got in an Uber and tried to get out of there, but traffic was already starting to get pretty congested," she said.
Smoke from the fire could be seen across Halifax on Tuesday afternoon.
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Thumbnail courtesy of Nathan Coleman/The Weather Network.
The story was originally written by Anjuli Patil and published for CBC News. It contains files from Andrew Sampson and Carolyn Ray.