Shelburne County wildfire remains out of control, further evacuation recommended
A wildfire in Nova Scotia’s Shelburne County is still out of control and prompting recommended evacuations.
The fire which started on Sunday was covering roughly 17,440 hectares Wednesday evening.
Early estimates say roughly 50 houses have been destroyed. It’s also forced officials to close all public schools in the area.
A Wednesday evening emergency alert advised residents of the recommended evacuation for the following areas:
- 243 Sandy Point Road to 650 Sandy Point Road including Roseway Park
- School Street
- Commission Street
- Harbourside Landing
- Mayflower Road (the old Boys School)
- Shelburne Diesel
- Shelburne Ship Repair
- Ven-Rez
- Bill Harris Transport
- Coastal Tails
- Adamant Drive
- The Lake Road up to Civic Address 1536
Nova Scotia Health has evacuated and closed Roseway Hospital in Shelburne due to the threat of encroaching wildfires.
Fifteen inpatients are being transferred to South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridegwater and Fisherman's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg. Nova Scotia Health says some patients were transferred to sites inside and outside the region, while others were discharged.
It says planning for this possibility has been underway for several days.
Anyone with urgent medical needs should still call 911.
For general health advice and information, Nova Scotia Health says residents can call 811.
More than 2,000 residents have already been told to evacuate their homes.
Laura Cameron is one of them.
“When you see pictures, to some people that’s the spectacle of the biggest fire. This is a historic event. To us, it’s our homes,” said Cameron. “I say to people when you look at those pictures, it’s our houses."
By late Tuesday afternoon, fire had broken out in Sandy Point, about 22 kilometres northeast of where it started. Officials say it's continuing to travel that way.
More than 70 Department of Natural Resources and Renewables firefighters and staff were on the scene Wednesday evening. About 40 volunteers and municipal firefighters were also there.
Cameron’s husband is a volunteer.
“They’re giving 200 per cent,” said Cameron. “They’ve been on this for days and this is small fire departments. They’re all helping each other.”
Aircraft on-site include one helicopter, two water bombers from Newfoundland and Labrador and eight airplanes from New Brunswick that disperse a mix of water and fire retardant, the province says.
When asked if Nova Scotia needs its own fleet of bombers, Houston said, “We have the helicopters who can drop. We have access to them, so we’ll look at doing what we can to support the firefighters in this province.”
Evacuee Samantha Brannen says more help is needed.
“They’re really looking for more resources. On the ground, in the air, people seem to be frustrated.” said Brannen. “None of us are firefighting experts… experts but it seems we have been in need of some more resources here.”
A shift in wind direction Tuesday pushed smoke towards the town of Shelburne, about 35 kilometres northwest, and forced residents of a seniors home to move. About 65 seniors and their caregivers are now staying at Acadia University.
Nova Scotia has seen more than 180 wildfires in 2023.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP to form majority government following historic Manitoba election
Wab Kinew’s New Democratic Party is projected to have enough seats in the Manitoba Legislature to form a majority government, taking the helm after two consecutive terms of a majority Tory regime.
Parks Canada reveals additional details about deadly bear attack in Banff
The couple and dog mauled and killed by a grizzly bear in the backcountry of Banff National Park late last week did everything right, Parks Canada says.
Parents want arrest after son 'deliberately kicked' in neck during Edmonton hockey game
A Junior C hockey player says he is lucky to be alive after his neck was sliced open by a hockey skate last week in an act his parents believe – and the referee ruled – was an intentional kick.
A look back at election day in Manitoba
Manitobans have cast their vote in a historic election. The CTV News Decision Desk has declared an NDP majority win, making NDP Leader and Premier-elect Wab Kinew the first First Nations premier in the province. Take a look at the election night in Manitoba.
Multiple people have been shot on campus of Morgan State University in Baltimore, police say
Multiple people were shot at Morgan State University in Baltimore on Tuesday, according to police, who urged students to take shelter on the campus of the historically Black college.
Canadian condo sales falling amid concerns over interest rate hikes
Amid consistent interest rate hikes and wavering markets, Canadian condo sales are starting to fall in all but two markets in the nation, according to a new report from Re/Max.
McCarthy becomes the first U.S. speaker ever to be ousted from the job in a House vote
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history that was forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives and threw the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.
Train service restored after CN experiences network-wide system failure
Canadian National Railway Co. experienced a network-wide system failure on Tuesday that affected Via, GO and other trains in Ontario. The issue was resolved and service was restored Tuesday night.
Tropical Storm Philippe could impact the Maritimes on Thanksgiving weekend
The Maritimes have been on an extended run of very fair weather the last two weeks while under a persistent ridge of high pressure. Unfortunately, that pattern changes this weekend with the approach of a weather front from the west and a likely post-tropical storm Philippe from the south.
Toronto
-
More than $1M allegedly solicited from Ontario businesses in decade-long scam involving fake magazine
A 58-year-old Oakville man accused of operating a fraudulent magazine for more than a decade allegedly solicited more than $1 million often by placing cold calls to local businesses throughout Ontario.
-
-
Mississauga man charged after allegedly defrauded charity $94k
A 33-year-old Mississauga man has been charged after allegedly defrauding a charitable organization of $94,000.
Calgary
-
Parks Canada reveals additional details about deadly bear attack in Banff
The couple and dog mauled and killed by a grizzly bear in the backcountry of Banff National Park late last week did everything right, Parks Canada says.
-
Invasion of the six-legged creeps: Calgarians battling boxelder bugs
Meaghan Walsh has spent countless hours spraying the walls of her quiet Killarney home with soapy water, trying to beat back an onslaught of creepy six-legged invaders.
-
Police search Chestermere property in connection to Calgary homicide
Calgary police are searching a rural property east of the city in connection to an ongoing homicide investigation.
Montreal
-
Quebec man formally charged with threatening Trudeau, Legault
A Quebec man has been formally charged with threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault and several other criminal offences.
-
Paralympian who had medal stolen a victim of Montreal's soaring car thefts
The theft of a Paralympic swimmer's car with a gold medal inside is just one of thousands of vehicles that are stolen in Montreal ever year, as car thefts soar in the city.
-
Residents on both sides of Park Ex bike lane debate protest outside borough council meeting
Banging on drums and ringing a cowbell, dozens of residents showed up outside a council meeting in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough to loudly protest the removal of more than 250 parking spots to make way new bike paths.
Edmonton
-
Parents want arrest after son 'deliberately kicked' in neck during Edmonton hockey game
A Junior C hockey player says he is lucky to be alive after his neck was sliced open by a hockey skate last week in an act his parents believe – and the referee ruled – was an intentional kick.
-
Second-degree murder charge laid in killing outside downtown Edmonton shelter
One person has been charged in the death of a man outside an Edmonton shelter over the weekend.
-
Top prosecutor ends Indigenous man's case claiming excessive force by Edmonton police officer
An Indigenous man's pursuit of private prosecution of an Edmonton police officer who caused him long-term injury has been stopped by Alberta's top prosecutor.
Northern Ontario
-
Greater Sudbury woman killed in fatal Highway 144 crash
A 45-year-old Greater Sudbury woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 144 in the Dowling area on Saturday, police said.
-
Northern medical school is a success story like no other
The Ontario Medical Association is highlighting northern Ontario's medical university in a new campaign.
-
Sudbury looks to deal with chronic complainers tying up city resources
Officials in Greater Sudbury are looking for ways to deal with a small number of chronic complainers that are taking up a large amount of city staff time.
London
-
'Ongoing investigation': London, Ont. high school football program now suspended for hazing incident
The senior football program at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School (SWLSS) is temporarily suspended after new information has come forward involving a hazing incident prior the season opening game.
-
Windsor police investigator testifies in London, Ont. truck attack trial
At the Nathaniel Veltman trial on Tuesday, Sgt. Liyu Guan of the Windsor Police Service took the stand. Guan is a digital forensic examiner who was asked to look at five devices seized by the London Police Service from Veltman’s downtown apartment.
-
City councillors raise questions over proposed renovation plan for Budweiser Gardens
London City Coun. Sam Trosow had roughly 30 questions regarding the proposed $33.3 million Budweiser Gardens expansion and renovation.
Winnipeg
-
NDP to form majority government following historic Manitoba election
Wab Kinew’s New Democratic Party is projected to have enough seats in the Manitoba Legislature to form a majority government, taking the helm after two consecutive terms of a majority Tory regime.
-
Heather Stefanson stepping down as PC leader
Following the defeat of her party, Heather Stefanson has announced she will be stepping down as the leader of the Progressive Conservatives.
-
A look back at election day in Manitoba
Manitobans have cast their vote in a historic election. The CTV News Decision Desk has declared an NDP majority win, making NDP Leader and Premier-elect Wab Kinew the first First Nations premier in the province. Take a look at the election night in Manitoba.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa doctors shocked to find their bios on the South Keys Health Centre website, despite never working there
Two Ottawa doctors says they were shocked to see their bios on the South Keys Health Centre website, despite never working there or having any contact with the walk-in clinic.
-
The Village of Manotick might get a Starbucks
There is debate in Manotick, centred around a redevelopment that, if approved, could land a Starbucks with a drive-thru on the village's Main Street.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Ottawa breaks 132-year-old temperature record
The temperature in Ottawa has surpassed a more than century-old heat record, and more record-breaking warmth is in the forecast.
Saskatoon
-
FSIN opens health watchdog office to investigate Indigenous maltreatment
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is adding a health ombudsman office to rectify what leaders call decades of mistreatment within the provincial healthcare system.
-
Striking Prince Albert city workers head to labour board after talks break down. Again.
The union representing inside workers in Prince Albert is taking the city to the labour board, after a vote on a new contract was derailed on Friday.
-
Sask. COVID-19 rates rising ahead of anticipated fall surge
Saskatchewan saw a 73 per cent increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the latest two-week surveillance report.
Vancouver
-
Vancouver councillor wins code of conduct complaint against her, filed by the mayor
A Vancouver city councillor has won a code of conduct complaint, which was filed against her by the mayor.
-
Bear spray, Taser and metal stool used to assault 70-year-old man in Victoria, police say
Police in Victoria are asking the public for help as they investigate a disturbing assault on a 70-year-old man.
-
'Outrageous': B.C. premier slams Conservative leader's first question in legislature
John Rustad's first question in British Columbia's legislature as the leader of the provincial Conservative Party prompted a stern rebuke from Premier David Eby, who accused him of picking on children and families.
Regina
-
Moose Jaw apartment building evacuated due to safety risks
Residents of a Moose Jaw apartment building were cleared out in an emergency evacuation due to multiple safety risks, according to the city.
-
'Really big blow': Regina business owner shares advice after break-in
A Regina jewelry store owner is highlighting the need for security after her business was recently broken into and robbed.
-
Wes Cates gives Riders a Grade of F following 4th straight loss
While certain players provided bright spots for the Riders’ darkening season record – the green and white could not snap its losing streak in its matchup against the Lions.
Vancouver Island
-
Bear spray, Taser and metal stool used to assault 70-year-old man in Victoria, police say
Police in Victoria are asking the public for help as they investigate a disturbing assault on a 70-year-old man.
-
Motorcyclist, 56, dead after crash near Sooke
A 56-year-old man is dead after his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck on Vancouver Island.
-
Anti-SOGI demonstrations at elementary schools prompt calls to renew protest legislation
Some North Vancouver parents want the province to re-introduce legislation prohibiting protests near schools, following a series of anti-SOGI demonstrations.
