News release

Nova Scotia Sending Another Fire Crew to Yukon

Natural Resources and Renewables

Nova Scotia is sending another crew to fight large, out-of-control wildfires in Yukon.

Twenty Department of Natural Resources and Renewables firefighters and one agency representative will leave from Halifax Stanfield International Airport today, August 8. Five of the firefighters on this crew also served on the crew Nova Scotia sent to Yukon last month.

“We’re extremely fortunate that our wildfire season has calmed down since the devastating fires in May and June,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “We understand how much people in Yukon need our help, so we’re happy to send another crew. I’m proud of our firefighters for answering the call – especially those who already served on the July crew.”

Current fire conditions in Nova Scotia allow the Province’s wildfire resources to be shared. The Department will continue monitoring conditions and make sure sufficient resources are maintained in the province. Crews could be pulled back from Yukon if they are needed at home.

Quick Facts:

  • the firefighters and agency representative who went to Yukon in July returned August 1
  • Nova Scotia is a member of the Canadian Mutual Aid Resource Sharing Agreement, which ensures all provinces and territories will receive help if wildfires become too large to handle
  • the affected province or territory covers the costs of the jurisdictions that are sending help
  • requests for assistance from other jurisdictions are co-ordinated through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre

Additional Resources:

To help prevent wildfires in Nova Scotia, people should continue to check and follow the daily burn restrictions at: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/

News release (July 15) – Nova Scotia Sending Fire Crews to Yukon: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20230715001

National Fire Situation Report: https://ciffc.net/

Natural Resources and Renewables on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_DNRR