A fast-moving wildfire near Long Lake in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis County has grown to 3,210 hectares, covering more than 32 square kilometres, according to officials with the Department of Natural Resources. The blaze, which started last Wednesday, remains out of control despite rainfall in the area. Fire managers said the updated size reflects clearer visibility and more accurate mapping after heavy smoke had obscured earlier measurements. CBC News reports that no homes have been destroyed, though campers and trailers were lost in the fire’s path.
Authorities said fire crews have worked tirelessly to protect properties using sprinklers, hoses, and barriers. Scott Tingley, the province’s forest protection manager, noted that the flames reached the southern edge of Spectacle Lake and briefly crossed West Dalhousie Road. While 107 homes have been evacuated, impacting around 215 residents, officials stressed that these tactics have been critical in preventing the fire from damaging houses. Winds have shifted in a direction more favorable to crews, helping to ease immediate threats to communities.
The firefighting effort includes 93 provincial firefighters, 15 local responders, 22 personnel from Ontario, and five from Prince Edward Island. They are supported by four water bombers from the Northwest Territories, two helicopters, and three more helicopters en route from Saskatchewan. Premier Tim Houston confirmed that while the province has no immediate plans to purchase its own fixed-wing water bomber, officials are evaluating future investments as wildfires become more frequent in Nova Scotia.
For evacuees, the situation has created both anxiety and gratitude. Deputy Warden Dustin Enslow of Annapolis County told CBC’s Information Morning that residents remain nervous but thankful for the strong support from firefighters and communities across the province. Some evacuees are staying with relatives while others have turned to camping. Over the weekend, those displaced were permitted to briefly return home with escorts to gather clothes, medications, and other essentials.
The federal government has also stepped in, approving Nova Scotia’s request for assistance. Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski confirmed that Ottawa is working with the Canadian Armed Forces to bolster local firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, Environment Canada has issued special air quality statements for Annapolis and Queens counties, warning of moderate smoke-related health risks in parts of the Annapolis Valley. While six wildfires are burning across the province, the Long Lake blaze remains the only one listed as out of control.