A DNNR helicopter is unloaded in a field near the South Horseshoe Lake fire. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
Crews battling the forest fire near South Horseshoe Lake in Yarmouth appear to be getting it under control.
A statement from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables released Thursday evening indicates the fire is 60 percent contained.
What started as a 25 hectare fire when firefighting teams arrived on-site Monday grew to over 3,100 hectares by Wednesday.
DNRR expressed concerns Thursday afternoon about the potential for the fire to spread due to dry conditions.
But just hours later, DNRR officials announced firefighting crews made up of two helicopters, one water bomber and 40 DNRR personnel were able to keep the fire from spreading past 3,100 hectares.
Officials have yet to determine the cause of the fire.
As a result of the ongoing dry conditions the entire province is under burning restrictions.
Yarmouth, Shelburne and Queens counties currently have a full burn ban in place.
DNRR firefighters will continue efforts to extinguish the fire on Friday.
Water bomber dropping its load on part of a wildfire near South Horseshoe Lake, Yarmouth County, Photo: Communications Nova Scotia
Provincial officials say the forest fire in Yarmouth County tripled in size and is burning out of control.
A statement from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables says the fire grew from 1,000 to 3,100 hectares on Tuesday, spreading from South Horseshoe Lake west, in the direction of Rushy Lake.
Distance between South Horseshoe Lake and Rushy Lake. Photo Google Maps
Natural Resources and Renewables Minister Tory Rushton says, “Conditions are still adverse, so the fire may continue to spread. However, at this time, we do not see it reaching communities and the province’s response is being managed by highly trained professionals and fire crew members who are ready to respond at a moment’s notice to keep us safe in case of emergency.”
Since Monday, the contingent fighting the wildfire has grown to include 40 provincial fire crew members, two helicopters and a water bomber sent from Newfoundland and Labrador.
Officials says Tuesday’s wind and low humidity are driving the spread of the fire.
Air quality alerts have been issued for Yarmouth and residents are asked to keep windows closed.
Conditions continue to stay very dry across the province, and a burn ban remains in place for Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties.
DNRR will provide regular updates on the Yarmouth forest fire on their Twitter feed today.
Yarmouth forest fire seen from DNRR helicopter. Photo Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables
A water bomber from Newfoundland and Labrador has joined Nova Scotia’s ground and air crews to fight an out-of-control wildfire near Horseshoe Lake, Yarmouth County.
Ground crews pulled back as the CL-415 bomber dropped water until dark Tuesday night.
The fire has grown quickly with Department of Natural Resources and Renewables estimates increasing from 50 hectares Tuesday morning to over 1,000 hectares that night.
The water bomber joins two helicopters and 12 provincial fire crew members from Shelburne and Yarmouth counties who have been fighting the wildfire since Monday.
DNRR officials say winds and low humidity are factors in the spread of the fire.
Yarmouth area residents are encouraged to keep their windows closed as smoke from the growing fire has prompted air quality alerts.
Conditions are very dry across the province, and a burn ban is in place for Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties.
Nova Scotians should check burn restrictions online or call the toll-free phone line at 1-855-564-2876 (BURN) before starting a fire.
DNRR will be providing regular updates on the Yarmouth forest fire on their Twitter feed.
Premier Iain Rankin in Lunenburg. Photo Ed Halverson
The province announced five new palliative care beds are opening on the South Shore.
Premier Iain Rankin was in Lunenburg to share the news the province will provide $1 million annually to fund the five spaces at Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg.
The new unit will provide team-based palliative care, including end-of-life care, symptom management and support for patients and families from across Queens and Lunenburg counties.
Existing beds at the hospital will be converted into home-like environments.
The province will pick up the tab for equipment and furnishings and additional staff requirements.
Chair of the South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society Trudy Johnson says the new beds will provide dignity at the end of life.
“I guess I’ll describe it as a giant hug,” said Johnson. “You know, you have people embracing you at your end of life and being able to be with you with dignity and comfort and care and knowing that they love you.”
Trudy Johnson. Photo Ed Halverson
The new unit is set to open this fall.
The new funding announcement is the latest in a string from Premier Rankin, leading many to believe an election call is imminent.
Border blockade takes center stage
Wednesday’s announcement was overshadowed by news of the blockade that has been erected at the New Brunswick – Nova Scotia border.
Protestors blocking the Trans-Canada Highway into Nova Scotia are reacting to last minute changes to quarantine requirements for anyone entering this province from New Brunswick.
The premier announced Tuesday people coming from New Brunswick may have to quarantine up to 14 days based on the number of vaccines they have received and testing.
Protestors are frustrated restrictions weren’t lifted for travellers from New Brunswick the same as they were for people coming from Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador.
Rankin has a message to those blockading the highway.
“Think about all the families in Nova Scotia. I have a duty to look out for safety and everyone’s lives,” said Rankin. “We just lost two Nova Scotians yesterday. One had one shot of vaccine. I need to trust the advise of public health that we need one more week.”
At a press conference late Wednesday afternoon, PC Leader Tim Houston said he has been in touch with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs about the blockade
“I urge the premier to do the same thing. To have those discussions, get everyone to the table and open up the border. But the blockade must end. Goods and services have to be able to flow, families have to be reunited and out products have to move, so end the blockades now,” said Houston.
PC Leader Tim Houston. Screen grab from Zoom conference
For his part, the premier is once again calling on Nova Scotians to put their faith in the people who have kept them safe throughout the pandemic.
“Support public health and support the safety of Nova Scotians for one week and then we’re in a much different place,” said Rankin. “We’ll have thousands of more people with their second dose. Let’s give public health the confidence we have for five months.”
