Some evacuees heading home as forest fire on Eastern Shore slows

A forest fire is still burning on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore, but the union representing Halifax firefighters says they’ve made headway as rain continues to fall in the area.

The RCMP, Halifax Fire and Emergency and the Department of Natural Resources have been on the scene of a forest fire along Ostrea Lake Road, which is located near Musquodoboit Harbour, since Sunday afternoon.

But in an update shared on Facebook around 7 p.m. Sunday, the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters association said the “situation has stabilized” and resources were being “gradually released from the scene.”

In an earlier statement, the association had described fire conditions are “serious, fuelled by thick brush, dry vegetation, and gusty winds.”

It said crews had been pulled from the woods for safety reasons and were focused on protecting structures.

Many homes nearby were evacuated due to the fire, but the Halifax Regional Municipality said some people will be allowed to return home this evening.

In a release issued around 7:30 p.m., the HRM said those living on Birchwood Lane, Lailia Lane, Sunset Lane, and Ostrea Lake Road from civic number 320 northwards to Highway 7, will be permitted to go back home after 8 p.m.

An evacuation order remains in place for Reflection Lane, Heselton Drive, and Ostrea Lake Road from civic number 320 to the south as far as civic number 655.

On Sunday afternoon, the Department of Natural Resources posted that the size of the fire was estimated at 35 hectares — an area about the size of 50 soccer fields.

It said the department had 12 firefighters on the scene and a helicopter.

The No. 7 highway was temporarily closed to traffic from Pond Road to Strike Lane, but has since reopened.

According to David Hendsbee, the municipal councillor for the area, the fire began around 1 p.m. AT. 

He estimates at least 100 homes in the area have been evacuated.

“I just ask people to be patient during this time,” he said. “The RCMP and the fire department are doing the best they can do.”

An evacuation centre has been established at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour for those impacted by the fire.

The Halifax Regional Municipality has advised those close to the fire should shut all windows and doors, turn off air exchangers and stay inside until air quality improves.

Mike Palmer lives in a home affected by the evacuation order. He was out getting groceries when the order happened, so his partner has been alone gathering necessities before leaving.

When Palmer spoke with CBC News, he said he wasn’t allowed to go home despite being only 140 metres away from his front door.

“I feel very stressed. I feel helpless,” said Palmer, who moved to the area from Ontario six months ago.

Ronnie Poan owns a bowling alley, UnBOWLievable Lanes, located on Strike Lane. He said he could smell smoke around 1 p.m. AT.

“I was thinking that’s awful weird for somebody to have a fire in the house today because it’s warm out, not because it’s cold,” he said. “But it was … definitely a forest fire I smelled.”

Poan said the bowling alley was holding a youth club banquet today. He said some people stayed behind because they couldn’t head home with traffic only moving in one direction on Highway 7 before the road reopened.

🔥 OSTREA LAKE WILDFIRE – UPDATE 3 🔥<br>RCMP are currently handling evacuations in the Ostrea Lake area. At this time, no additional evacuation orders have been issued beyond those already in place.<br><br>The fire remains active and out of control, with air support continuing… <a href=”https://t.co/1qiELZaQMT”>pic.twitter.com/1qiELZaQMT</a>

The public is being advised to avoid the area. A burn ban is currently in effect in Halifax County.

Environment Canada is forecasting rain for the area until around 9 p.m. and says there’s a chance of more showers overnight.