The Long Lake fire burns out of control in August 2025. Photo by Province of Nova ScotiaArticle contentSix and a half long weeks after it started, the Long Lake wildfire is now being termed under control, Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources said 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 content“It’s a key milestone in any wildfire. Under control means the fire is responding well to suppression efforts”, the department said in a social media post. “It is not expected to grow, but it is still not extinguished.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe fire status was previously upgraded from out of control to held on Sept. 8.Article contentBut while the fire has reached this stage, it’s not close to being considered fully out and that may involve winter weather.Article content“Typically crews continue working until wildfire is extinguished. For Long Lake, winter conditions may arrive before the fire is declared extinguished,” the department posted. “If that happens, the fire won’t be a threat during the winter, monitoring will continue until firefighting can resume in spring.”Article contentThe fire has burned as deep as four feet below ground, following roots and organic matter where it may smolder for a long time before burning back to the surface.Article contentDNR is continuing to use infrared scanning to look for hot spots. Crews are also walking through the active fire zone, smelling for smoke and feeling the ground for heat with their hands. They dig into the ground and douse the area with water to put the hot spots out.Article contentThe fire is still estimated to be 8,468 hectares based on its perimeter, but that may change if more measurements are taken. There are still area burning within the fire boundary of the blaze, which destroyed 20 homes and a dozen other buildings.Article contentDNR said it is extending “immense thanks to DNR firefighters, incident management team & other staff, & all the local fire departments, crews from other provinces, the County of Annapolis & all the other agencies that are helping with this unprecedented effort.”Article content
Long Lake wildfire finally deemed under control
