Smoke from an out-of-control wildfire in western Nova Scotia is drifting into parts of the province more than 100 kilometres away, with Environment Canada cautioning it could lead to poor air quality and reduced visibility in some areas.
The Long Lake fire in Annapolis County more than doubled in size over the weekend, destroying and damaging a number of homes and leading to further evacuations in the area.
On Tuesday morning, Environment Canada said in a statement that air quality is reduced in Halifax and Lunenburg counties, while plumes of smoke are expected to settle in Kings and Hants counties in the afternoon as the wind shifts. There is an air quality warning for Annapolis County.
Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources said Monday evening the Long Lake fire was now estimated at about 80 square kilometres in size. More than 1,000 people in the area have been forced to leave their homes.
Tim Donald, who evacuated his New Albany, N.S., home on Sunday evening, said rain that fell in the area Monday night was “a godsend,” but far more is needed.
“The fields and everything are as dry as can be, embers are falling out of the sky. They can start a fire anywhere, so quick,” he told CBC Radio’s Information Morning. “And the embers are travelling a long, long distance, like miles and miles. It’s very scary.”
