Crews clear trees and brush creating wide paths of bare soil called dozer guards at the Long Lake wildfire. Photo by Nova Scotia GovernmentArticle contentThe Long Lake wildfire has jumped West Dalhousie Road at several points, along with the Thorne Road and moved as far as Paradise Lake. As of 6:25 p.m. on Sunday the Annapolis County Regional Emergency Management Organization was warning that the fire was growing out of control. An expanded mandatory evacuation order was issued on top of one made earlier Sunday afternoon. The new areas include: Highway 10 and all streets around Trout, Zwicker and East Lakes, New Albany; Old Liverpool Road, Che-Boag-A-Nish Road and all of West Dalhousie Road in Albany Cross. “Some firefighters needed to relocate for safety but still actively engaged,” reads a statement issued by Annapolis County REMO on Sunday at 6:25 p.m. “Structure protection is in place and all efforts are being made to save homes and other structures.” Strong southerly winds, low humidity and high temperatures have fueled growth of the Long Lake wildfire throughout Sunday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle content“This is the day we’ve been planning for,” Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection for the Department of Natural Resources, told media on Sunday afternoon.Article contentArticle content“We knew the storm would pass South of us on Friday. We knew this particular Sunday would be dry and windy. The forecast was quite accurate.”Article contentAs of Saturday evening the fire was estimated at 3,255 hectares, with a front burning within one kilometre of the West Dalhousie Road.Article contentWith the helicopters it uses to map the fire’s size engaged in fighting the fire, no update could be provided on the total size of the fire on Sunday.Article contentThe areas evacuated earlier on Sunday afternoon included:Article contentMorse Road: Civic numbers 571 to 10273.Article contentThorne Road: 4272 to 4291.Article contentAll those evacuating are directed to register at the Bridgetown Fire Hall at 31 Bay Road.Article content“My heart goes out to the residences who have been evacuated,” said Jim Rudderham, director of fleet and forest protection at DNR.Article contentArticle content“I can’t imagine all this time out of their homes. We feel for them and we wish we could do more.”Article contentStrong winds and what DNR dubbed “cross over conditions” were pushing the fire to expand in multiple directions, including toward the community of West Dalhousie.Article contentThe encroaching fire front led DNR to relocate its command centre to Bridgetown on Saturday evening.Article contentSix water bombers, six helicopters, bird-dog aircraft, 56 DNR firefighters, 62 wildland firefighters from Ontario, along with 54 members from local volunteer departments are working the fire on Sunday.Article contentVolunteer departments from further away, including Italy Cross, Dayspring, New Ross and Quinan, were also called in with tankers to protect homes on the West Dalhousie Road.Article contentThose departments set up sprinkler systems and water supply fed by portable pumps around homes, other structures and along the road and forest.
Long Lake wildfire jumps West Dalhousie Road, evacuation area expanded again
