Wildfire burning near Halifax business park being held
A wildfire near a Halifax business park is being held and firefighters will remain at the scene overnight, according to an alert sent by the Halifax Regional Municipality on Wednesday night.
When a fire is being held, it means that it's not likely to grow. Earlier Wednesday, Natural Resources estimated the fire to be about 15 hectares in size.
A mandatory evacuation of all businesses in the plaza on the west side of Chain Lake Drive remains in place, and all access points to the plaza west of Chain Lake Drive from Julius Boulevard to the Kent store remain closed and secured by police, the alert said.
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The fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. AT on Tuesday in the Susies Lake area near the north entrance to Bayers Lake Business Park, about 10 kilometres west of downtown Halifax. The province confirmed in an update Wednesday afternoon that the fire was caused by human activity.
In social media posts earlier Wednesday, the provincial Natural Resources Department said 30 of its firefighters were on scene at first light. They were soon joined by six firefighters with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency.
Natural Resources said there was a short window of favourable foggy, misty conditions for ground crews working Wednesday morning. The fog initially prevented aircraft from being used to fight the fire, but in the afternoon helicopters began dropping water.
The fire was initially estimated to be 25 to 30 hectares, but Natural Resources later said it decreased in size on Wednesday to 15 hectares.
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A forest fire alert was issued for part of Annapolis County on Wednesday night due to a fire in the Godfrey Lake area. Some residents have been asked to prepare to evacuate if the fire behaviour changes.
Natural Resources said Wednesday afternoon there were also two small wildfires burning near Lake Paul, in Kings County, estimated at 0.9 hectares and 1.9 hectares. The smaller fire is under control while the larger one remains out of control.
It said 15 Natural Resources firefighters and 30 local firefighters were on scene along with two helicopters dropping water.
An alert issued by the Halifax municipality at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday said there was a mandatory evacuation of a number of stores and restaurants along the west side of Chain Lake Drive, the main thoroughfare in the business park.
It said the evacuation was required to manage traffic issues and "protect residents and workers," as officials urged people to stay away from the area.
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Roy Hollett, deputy chief with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, said earlier Wednesday that no homes have been evacuated.
However, Nova Scotia Health's Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre, which was evacuated on Tuesday, will remain closed Thursday.
"We do encourage people, if you do not need to be in that area, don't go there," Hollett told Information Morning Nova Scotia.
On Tuesday, planes could be seen circling around large plumes of smoke, dipping down into a nearby lake as spectators looked on from docks and balconies in the suburb of Timberlea.
One Natural Resources helicopter was dropping water, as were several planes sent from New Brunswick, where there are two major wildfires burning. The planes were later sent back but could return if needed.
Bill Knowlton, an owner at B.A.D. Dog Cycles in Timberlea, said he had a front-row seat to planes scooping up water in Governor Lake.
He said a colleague had spotted smoke rising from a nearby wooded area Tuesday afternoon.
"And then it was a whole lot of activity in a hurry," Knowlton said in an interview on Wednesday outside the motorcycle shop.
"We heard that air support was coming in, and that air support turned out to be two great big water bombers from Quebec. Big yellow guys."
Knowlton said there were still kayakers in the lake when they first started buzzing overhead.
"Everybody took the hint and cleared the lake. Then they came in right out of nowhere and started scooping," he said.
"We were laughing because commercial planes couldn't land as softly as those guys were landing in the water as they were filling up. Then they would power up, take off and they just kept a continuous circle. It was an amazing sight to see."
He said dozens of people arrived on the shores of the lake to take in the action.
"We could have handed the pilot a Pepsi, it felt like. He was so close to us as he was coming through," said Knowlton.
Smoke coming out from behind the Harding Medical building in Bayers Lake on Tuesday afternoon. (Jeremy Fukala)
Officials issued an emergency alert Tuesday evening warning people not to use drones within 9.3 kilometres of the uncontrolled wildfire. The Halifax Professional Fire Fighters confirmed in a Facebook post that a drone did temporarily pause operations.
Hollett said if helicopters or planes see a drone in the air, "they will not risk hitting them."
"It could cause a very serious air collision," he said. "If you get caught having a drone in the wildfire area, you will be charged."
Nova Scotia has been experiencing extremely dry conditions. Last week, the provincial government imposed a ban on people entering the woods in an effort to help prevent wildfires. People who violate the ban could be slapped with a $25,000 fine.
The federal Agriculture Department's latest drought update, released Tuesday, said the Atlantic region received below-normal precipitation in July, with large portions of Nova Scotia receiving less than 40 per cent of normal monthly precipitation.
The report said the southwestern tip of the province is abnormally dry, while there are moderate to severe drought conditions elsewhere.
Environment Canada said smoke from nearby wildfires is reducing air quality throughout Halifax County.
The air quality statement said people more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people and infants, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.
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The national weather forecaster said health risks can increase as smoke levels rise, so people should consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.
Thumbnail courtesy: Province of Nova Scotia
The story, written by Anjuli Patil and Aly Thomson, was originally published for CBC News. With files from Josh Hoffman, Information Morning Nova Scotia.