'They lost everything': Halifax evacuees grapple with new normal
Officials gave the outside world its first look inside the destruction from the Halifax-area wildfires Tuesday.
Greg Cruikshanks describes the damage to his neighbourhood as, “something out of a Stephen King movie.”
He says he saw blackened and scorched landscapes; homes and cars destroyed.
Cruikshanks' property was saved but he says he feels for those not as fortunate.
“For the people that lost their home, whatever we’re going through is minor compared to what [they’re] experiencing.”
The wildfire was first reported May 28 in Upper Tantallon, about 25 kilometres northwest of downtown Halifax. It moved east and grew to more than 800 hectares. More than 16,000 people were displaced at the height of evacuations. Officials say the fire is now contained.
While some homes burned to the ground, others close-by did not. Dave Meldrum, deputy chief of Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, says wind and topography randomized the fire’s path.
“It threw embers up into the air, which landed hundreds of metres in front of the flame front,” Meldrum said.
Airborne embers then landed on properties.
“Around the homes, on the back decks,” he said.
Linda Dwyer’s home is still standing but damage to the homes of some friends and family has been staggering.
“Even my paper guy, it’s been 30 year, he’s going to New Brunswick. They lost everything,” Dwyer said, her voice breaking.
Some of those able to go home have to test for contaminated well water, but the Halifax Regional Municipality has temporarily run out of testing kits.
The Hammonds Plains Road, a main artery, reopened to traffic Tuesday morning.
The municipality is asking residents who know their home is in the “area of significant impact” to register with officials by calling 311 or visiting the HRM website.
SCHOOLS
All Halifax area schools reopened Tuesday.
The Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) says the following schools have been inspected and no air quality concerns have been reported:
- Bay View High
- Hammonds Plains Consolidated
- Kingswood Elementary
- Madeline Symonds Middle School
HRCE says the schools have been cleaned and the air filters have been replaced.
Additional support staff will also be at the schools over the coming days to help students in need.
FOOD WASTE
The HRM is providing drop-off food waste bins for residents in Phase 1 and Phase 2 areas that experienced power loss during the mandatory evacuation.
There will be drop-off bins at the following locations on Tuesday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
- 20 Greenhill Rd. at the tennis courts
- 19 Glen Arbour Way at Eisenhauer Park
- 446 Sandwick Dr. at Sandwick Park
- 1452 White Hills Run at White Hills Park
- 120 Cedarcrest Dr. at Salty Dips Park
- 134 Micmac Dr. at Micmac Park
For the latest Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.