Shelburne volunteer fire chief says wildfire efforts have 'been a fight'
The chief of the Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department says the blaze near Barrington Lake, which is now classified as “held,” is unlike anything he’s ever seen.
Chief Darrell Locke said the battle to contain the largest recorded wildfire in the province’s history has been grueling for his crew.
“I’ve been in the fire service for 48 years. I have not seen anything like this, Nova Scotia has not seen anything like this,” Locke said in an interview Wednesday morning.
“Admittedly, we’ve had to run a few times for our lives. And that’s hard to say as a firefighter.”
The Shelburne wildfires destroyed 150 structures, including about 60 homes or cottages, and forced the evacuation of about 5,500 people — which is about half of the municipality’s population.
Some evacuees say it's hard to get clear information on the status of their homes inside the evacuation zone.
Evacuee Debbie Nickerson says she tried calling the municipality but could get ahold of anyone.
“All three numbers, it’s not available at this moment, so I imagine it’s going to take either all day or tomorrow,” Nickerson told CTV news.
A warden for the municipality said staff members are doing the “utmost” they can keep up with the calls.
“I would just encourage residents to keep calling,” he said. It’s essential that we get them back in their homes.”
Locke Smith got home Monday, after a week away. He says it’s good to be back.
“Bounced around three or four different places because of not knowing what’s going on, what was taking place,” said Smith.
Locke said that when his team of 35 volunteer firefighters work to save structures or come upon fire-damaged homes, they know the family who lives there.
“We know these people. These are our people, we’re very connected to our community,” he said.
“It’s been an emotional roller coaster, up and down. It’s been a fight, but we’re getting there and every day is better now.”
The fire chief’s team has been working alongside the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables and other crews to attack the nearly 25,000-hectare wildfire that remains out of control.
As of Tuesday evening that wildfire is considered “held,” meaning it isn’t expected to grow or move.
Locke said the hope is that there will be a break in the rain Wednesday afternoon that will allow the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables aircraft the chance to get a clear picture of the fire.
Something that stands out to Locke about the ongoing firefighting effort is the teamwork and collaboration of multiple teams to attack the blaze, he said.
“The ability for all the different organizations and agencies to pull together, work together and do what needs to be done… this is an unprecedented event for Nova Scotia and I think everyone has done a good job,” Locke said.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Health data collected from Indigenous Peoples in Canada has a dark history. One Indigenous company is turning that around
Software company Mustimuhw Information, which develops medical records systems built on a foundation of Indigenous traditions and values, is allowing health providers to capture data informed by cultural practices.
Hezbollah handed out pagers hours before blasts, even after checks: Reuters
Lebanon's Hezbollah was still handing its members new Gold Apollo branded pagers hours before thousands blew up this week, two security sources said, indicating the group was confident the devices were safe despite an ongoing sweep of electronic kit to identify threats.
Cognitive decline reduced by MIND diet, especially for women and Black people, study finds
Following the MIND diet for 10 years produced a small but significant decrease in the risk of developing thinking, concentration and memory problems, a new study found.
'It's disgusting': Quebec minister reacts after body of boy, 14, found near Hells Angels hideout
The province's public security minister said he was "shocked" Thursday amid reports that a body believed to be that of a 14-year-old boy was found this week near a Hells Angels hideout near Quebec City.
Ontario man to pay $1,500 surcharge after insurer says his SUV is at higher risk of theft
An Ontario man says it is 'unfair' to pay a $1,500 insurance surcharge because his four-year-old SUV is at a higher risk of being stolen.
Federal firearm buyback program has cost $67M, still not collecting guns after 4 years
The federal firearm buyback program has cost taxpayers nearly $67.2 million since it was announced in 2020, but it still hasn't collected a single gun.
No, these viral purple apples don't exist in Saskatchewan
If something looks too good to be true, it might be. That's the message from Saskatchewan horticulturists after customers have come into their stores hoping to buy purple apple trees this month.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including machine-guns
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including more than 120 handguns and at least five fully automatic weapons like machine-guns.
Influencer couple denies leaving kids alone on cruise
For most people, dinner on a cruise ship is a time to relax. But when influencer couple Abby and Matt Howard decided to kick back with a dinner à deux, they ended up kicking up a storm.