Local firefighter Oryan Curry of Annapolis Royal hoses down a hot spot of the Long Lake wildfire complex. Photo by Province of Nova ScotiaArticle contentAs the wildfire near West Dalhousie doubled in a day, a state of local emergency was declared by the Municipality of the County of Annapolis on Saturday.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 contentThe wildfire grew from over 400 hectares on Friday to 807 hectares on Saturday. Over 100 homes have been evacuated.Article contentArticle content“This has become a long-standing incident, and our primary concern remains the well-being and safety of our residents,” said Warden Diane LeBlanc in a statement. “Declaring a state of local emergency allows us to take the necessary steps to protect property and the health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants of the affected area.”Article contentArticle contentThe municipal state of emergency will be in effect for a week unless it is extended or ended sooner.Article content“During this time, residents are expected to follow all official instructions and directives from emergency officials. The declaration also prohibits the inflation of prices for essential goods and services, ensuring residents have fair access to what they need during this crisis,” reads the statement from the county.Article content“Our communities are strong and resilient,” LeBlanc said. “We thank everyone for their cooperation and for looking out for one another during this extremely challenging time.”Article contentFire growthArticle contentThat significant growth has to do with changes in the wildland environment, explained Dave Steeves, with DNR, in a media briefing on Saturday.Article content“As the day went on and temperatures increased, our relative humidity dropped, and when that happens, fuels become more susceptible to spread,” he said. “That, mixed with a little bit of wind, created some relatively explosive situations.”Article contentArticle content An excavator clears a fire break at the edge of the fire line on August 15 in the battle against the Long Lake wildfire complex. Province of Nova ScotiaArticle contentOn Saturday, there was one contracted helicopter and four fixed-wing skimmers from the Northwest Territories battling the blaze along with 44 DNR firefighters, 30 volunteer firefighters and a crew of five from P.E.I.Article content“We are still continuing to construct a guard in the safest manor possible,” he said, adding they are constantly monitoring the weather and the surroundings to make sure everyone is safe.Article contentAnd the potential for growth throughout the day “is very real,” he said.Article contentThe much smaller wildfire nearby at Hoyt Lake is about 0.1 hectare in size and under control.Article content15 wildfiresArticle contentAs of Saturday, there are 15 active wildfires and two have been brought under control since Friday, said Jim Rudderham, DNR’s director of fleet and forest protection.Article content“It’s still hot and dry and we have no rain, so I don’t think I need to get too deep into the current weather conditions,” he said.Article contentThe wildfire at Susies Lake in Bayers Lake is under control and not expected to grow. Some firefighters will soon be leaving there to work on other wildfires, Rudderham said.Article contentA lightning strike ignited a fire near Perch Lake Road in Pictou County on Friday night.Article content“It was very hard for our staff to locate,” said Rudderham.Article contentIt is about 1.5 hectares in size and is now under control. Seven DRR firefighters and 15 local firefighters are pushing it back, and a dozer line has been dug around its perimeter.Article content
Local state of emergency declared as Long Lake wildfire doubles in size
