Nova Scotia·UpdatedAn out-of-control wildfire burning Nova Scotia’s Annapolis County grew to roughly 300 hectares on Thursday, as dozens of residents were told to evacuate their homes.The fire, which was likely caused by lightning, is now estimated to be 300 hectaresAly Thomson · CBC News · Posted: Aug 14, 2025 9:29 AM EDT | Last Updated: 3 minutes agoAn alert issued at 10:14 a.m. says people who live on West Dalhousie Road in West Dalhousie between civic addresses 4094 to 5315 should leave immediately. (Google Maps)An out-of-control wildfire burning Nova Scotia’s Annapolis County grew to roughly three square kilometres in size on Thursday, as dozens of residents were told to evacuate their homes.An alert issued at 10:14 a.m. said people who live on West Dalhousie Road in West Dalhousie between civic addresses 4094 to 5315 should leave immediately. It said staying may result in injury or loss of life.Jim Rudderham, director of fleet and forest protection at the provincial Department of Natural Resources, said the fire was likely caused by lightning.Dustin Enslow, deputy warden of the Municipality of the County of Annapolis, said roughly 150 people were told to leave their homes along the road.”The community is being very positive and supportive,” said Enslow. “I feel we’re in a good spot of preparedness.”The Natural Resources Department said 42 homes have been evacuated.A social media post from the department on Thursday morning said the fire near Long Lake was estimated at 30 hectares, but it had grown to 300 hectares, or three square kilometres, by afternoon.Another out-of-control fire burning in the Hoyt Lake area, just south of Long Lake, was estimated at one hectare, it said.The department said the Long Lake fire was about three kilometres from West Dalhousie Road as of 1 p.m. and 30 of its firefighters and 10 local firefighters were on scene.Two Natural Resources helicopters and two contracted helicopters were working on both fires.The department said crews were creating “dozer guards” around the West Dalhousie Community Centre and two communication towers. Dozer guards, also known as fireguards, help stop or slow a fire by creating a barrier by using bulldozers to remove trees, shrubs and other fire fuels.’Don’t stay behind’: officialsA news release from the Municipality of the County of Annapolis said the Bridgetown Volunteer Fire Department on Bay Road was acting as a reception centre for evacuees. It said evacuees must go to the centre to check in.It was urging people in the evacuation zone to leave.”Don’t stay behind to help or because you don’t think this will affect you,” the release said. “You are putting the lives of our brave first responders and firefighters at risk when you do this. Precious supplies need to go to our firefighting efforts and support personnel.”There were a number of wildfires burning in the province on Thursday.The department announced Wednesday evening that a 15-hectare wildfire burning in the area of Susies Lake in Halifax, near Bayers Lake Business Park, was being held, meaning it’s not expected to grow. The province confirmed Wednesday afternoon that fire was caused by human activity.Department of Natural Resources firefighters Dylan Mulder, left, and Elijah DeCoste, watch a water bomber make a pass over the wildfire near Susies Lake in Halifax. (Province of Nova Scotia)Natural Resources said six small wildfires in the Birchwood Road area of Oxford were all under control. Under control means the fire has received sufficient suppression to ensure no further spread. Crews were going to stay onsite until they were fully extinguished.There were also two small wildfires burning near Lake Paul, in Kings County, estimated at 0.9 hectares and 1.9 hectares, according to the province’s wildfire dashboard. The smaller fire was under control while the larger one was being held. Four small fires in Cumberland County were listed on the dashboard as being under control or being held.Environment Canada said smoke from nearby wildfires was reducing air quality throughout Halifax and Annapolis counties on Thursday.The national weather forecaster said people more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.ABOUT THE AUTHORAly Thomson is an award-winning journalist based in Halifax who loves helping the people of her home province tell their stories. She is particularly interested in issues surrounding women’s health, justice, education and the entertainment industry. You can email her with tips and feedback at aly.thomson@cbc.ca.
Dozens evacuated as wildfire burning in Annapolis County grows
