News release

Update on Wildfires

Natural Resources and Renewables

Crews continue to fight wildfires in parts of Nova Scotia.

More firefighters are arriving to help – 17 are coming from the states of New York and New Hampshire and will start work on Saturday, June 3. The 20-member firefighting crew from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR) that was helping with Northwest Territories wildfires will return late tonight, May 31, and start work Thursday. They will be deployed where they are needed.

Barrington Lake, Shelburne County, update:

  • fire is still out of control, covering 17,186 hectares; the change is size from yesterday reflects more precise measurement
  • firefighters include more than 70 from DNRR and more than 40 volunteer/municipal
  • aircraft on scene include one helicopter, two water bombers from Newfoundland and Labrador and eight airplanes from New Brunswick that disperse a mix of water and fire retardant.

Evacuation information is available at: https://www.facebook.com/shelburneemo

Pubnico, Yarmouth County, update:

  • fire is still out of control and covers 163 hectares
  • firefighters on scene include 18 from DNRR and 10 volunteer/municipal
  • three helicopters are on scene.

Westwood Hills, Tantallon update:

  • fire is still out of control and is estimated at 837 hectares
  • the focus is on fire containment and structure protection
  • firefighters on scene include 52 from DNRR, six from Prince Edward Island, 100 from Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and nine from Department of National Defence (DND)
  • three helicopters on scene.

Hammonds Plains update:

  • fire is about four hectares in size and is 80 per cent contained
  • firefighters on scene include 10 from DNRR, 11 volunteer/municipal, three from DND
  • there is one helicopter on scene
  • this is a rapidly moving fire; HRM has notified residents to be prepared to evacuate with 30 minutes notice.

Up-to-date information on HRM comfort centres, evacuation centres, response efforts and more is available at www.halifax.ca/ and by following @hfxgov on social media.

People are asked to please remain away from all wildfire areas.

Quick Facts:

  • people should not operate drones over a forest fire; drones can interfere with the suppression effort and pose a danger to aircraft and first responders
  • people should only call 911 if their health or safety is threatened and they need immediate help; for non-emergencies in HRM related to the police, people can call 902-490-5016

Additional Resources:

More information and updates related to the wildfires are available at: https://novascotia.ca/alerts/

Burn restrictions: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/

News Release – Province Announces Restrictions During Wildfires: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20230530003

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