Flames burn through a stand of softwood Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Long Lake wildfire. Photo by Province of Nova ScotiaArticle contentSome residents evacuated from the Long Lake wildfire found out their homes were damaged or destroyed during conversations with municipal officials on Aug. 26.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 content“Today is an extremely challenging day,” County of Annapolis Deputy Warden Dustin Enslow said during an afternoon news conference. “My heart is with the people that have lost their homes.”Article contentArticle contentThe number of homes damaged or destroyed by the fire has not been released. Enslow said the municipality wants to ensure all effected residents are notified before providing the number.Article contentArticle content“Please take the time to respect the sensitivity around this,” he said. “These are people’s houses that were lost or damaged.”Article contentA team of municipal officials, including Warden Diane LeBlanc and chief administrative officer Rob Frost, as well as Salvation Army officials had almost completed the conversations with the effected residents by late afternoon.Article contentEnslow anticipated being able to release how many homes have been impacted within the next 24 hours. But Andrew Mitton, director of operations with the Department of Emergency Management, noted there have been areas it hasn’t been able to get to yet to conduct a thorough assessment because of the conditions.Article contentArticle content“There are areas that are unsafe to go to right now,” Enslow said. “The speed at which this fire progressed on Sunday caused a lot of damage.”Article contentArticle contentHe said there are downed trees and telecommunication infrastructure and the municipality wants to ensure all properties have been identified before releasing details.Article content“We don’t want to give that false hope,” he said. “We want to make sure we have all the information correct.”Article contentThere have been 500 civic addresses evacuated, but not all addresses contain homes. Enslow estimated between 450 and 470 homes and about 1,200 people were evacuated.Article contentEnslow said there were insured and uninsured properties damaged or destroyed and municipal officials were helping residents navigate those situations. He also said those lines of communication between the municipality and impacted residents would continue.
‘My heart is with the people that have lost their homes’: Deputy warden
