Forest fire on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore being held: Natural Resources
Emergency crews responded to fire in Musquodoboit Harbour area around 1 p.m. Sunday
Residents that were displaced by a wildfire burning on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore were allowed back in their homes Monday afternoon, as firefighters continued to douse hot spots on the blaze near Musquodoboit Harbour.
On Monday evening around 6:30 p.m., the Natural Resources Department said the fire is now under control and estimated to be at six hectares.
Crews were called to the fire along Ostrea Lake Road, about 50 kilometres northeast of Halifax, on Sunday afternoon.
Firefighters were initially pulled from the forest due to hot, dry and gusty conditions, and were redirected to focus on protecting structures.
Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection with the department, said the fire did not grow overnight and 20 department staff members were on site Monday morning dousing hot spots.
He said no structures have been lost.
"They did a great job to contain it," Tingley told CBC Radio's Information 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 were on scene Monday and a helicopter was on standby.
Conservation officers would also be on hand to try to determine the cause of the blaze, he said.
Halifax Regional Municipality said drones from Halifax Fire flew over the blaze Monday, identifying minor hot spots and confirming there were no areas of major concern.
David Hendsbee, the municipal councillor for the area, said 102 homes were evacuated on Sunday, but some people were allowed to return later in the evening.
"A lot of people are anxious and concerned about their pets but everybody got out safely," Hendsbee, who represents Lawrencetown-The Lakes-Chezzetcook-Eastern Shore, said in an interview Monday morning.
"The RCMP escorted a couple people in to get their animals out safely."
About 30 homes remained evacuated on Monday, but those people were allowed to return at 12:30 p.m.
The municipality was asking residents to remain diligent and watch for updates on social media channels in case the situation changes.
An evacuation centre was set up at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour on Sunday.
Hendsbee said a local Tim Hortons donated coffee, tea, water, muffins and Timbits, and plugs were set up for people to charge their devices.
Tingley said it was the smell of smoke that initially signalled to crews in the Jeddore area that a fire had broken out.
"They decided to go do a patrol in the area and they came upon the fire in addition to the public reporting that it was happening as well," he said.
"Crews from [the Department of Natural Resources] and HRM fire were on scene very quickly. This was a very quick response and I think they did a great job to contain it as they could in the conditions."
The Halifax Regional Municipality was advising those close to the fire to shut all windows and doors, turn off air exchangers and stay inside until air quality improves.
A burn ban was in effect in Halifax County on Sunday. Burning is never allowed between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. during wildfire season.
The fine for violating burn restrictions in Nova Scotia is $25,000.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Information Morning Nova Scotia