Halifax residents are being asked to avoid the Bayers Lake Business Park as firefighters battle a wildfire in the area.
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Chief Dave Meldrum told CBC News the call for the fire came in around 2:30 p.m. AT.
Once crews arrived, they encountered a fire in the wooded area behind Julius Boulevard and Dugger McNeil Drive, behind Kent Building Supplies.
Halifax Fire has 13 trucks at the scene, about 10 kilometres west of downtown Halifax.
All businesses between Kent and Julius Boulevard have been evacuated. Other businesses in the area have told CBC News they have been asked to evacuate as well, and police are asking everyone to avoid the Bayers Lake area.
No residences have been evacuated at this stage, police told CBC News around 4 p.m. Meldrum said there is no current risk to structures.
Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources is also responding to the fire.
DNR said its helicopter and four air tanker planes from New Brunswick are heading to Bayers Lake now.
The size of the fire is not yet known.
Police said some streets have been closed, including Chain Lake Drive.
“Lessening the traffic congestion will help crews respond to the fire and allow those evacuating to leave safely,” police told CBC News in an email.
Nova Scotia Health confirmed the Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre is being evacuated and that the facility’s emergency response plans are being activated. Anyone with an appointment scheduled for the remainder of the day should not attend.
Environment Canada and Nova Scotia’s Department of Health and Wellness issued a special air quality statement on Tuesday afternoon, saying smoke from the Bayers Lake fire is reducing air quality in the metro Halifax and western Halifax County areas.
“People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms,” the statement read in part.
“As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events. You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough.”
The statement recommended people keep doors and windows closed when indoors.
“When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool,” the statement said.
Veronica MacIsaac was out for lunch at Jack Astor’s in Bayers Lake when a friend spotted the smoke.
“Behind the side of Bayers Lake where the Giant Tiger would be, there was just a huge big cloud of smoke and it very quickly was spreading through the restaurant,” MacIsaac told CBC News.
“And people were quickly paying their bills and trying to get out of there.”
MacIsaac said one of the staff at the restaurant drove out to see what was happening and noted some areas were being evacuated and roads were closing.
“We got in an Uber and tried to get out of there, but traffic was already starting to get pretty congested,” she said.
Smoke from the fire could be seen across Halifax on Tuesday afternoon.
