Wildfire in Bedford, N.S., 80 per cent contained: DNRR
Fire officials said Wednesday afternoon that a wildfire burning in the Hammonds Plains-area near Bedford, N.S., is about four hectares and is 80 per cent contained.
The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR) said it has 10 of its firefighters on scene, as well as 11 volunteer and municipal crews and three from the Department of National Defence.
One helicopter is also at the scene.
Halifax Fire deputy chief David Meldrum said Wednesday morning the fire, which began Tuesday evening, looked “very good” and “very quiet.”
“Combined crews with DNRR and our teams did a great job, great fire attack last night. Regional fire service remained on scene and patrolled overnight making sure there were no hot spots or flare ups,” he said.
“Firefighters will be on the ground (Wednesday), that’s for sure, and will have good opportunity to make sure that remains a stable scene.”
The fire prompted several emergency alerts and evacuations Tuesday night.
An initial alert at approximately 6:40 p.m. told residents of several streets near the BMO Centre they had to evacuate due to the wildfire, and a potential ammonia leak from a dairy facility in the area.
Smoke was so heavy in the area, resident Ed Giles packed his bags and drove to a hotel in Truro even before the emergency alert went out Tuesday evening.
“It’s been pretty panicky, I’ve got asthma and anxiety disorder anyways and so I didn’t need this,” said Giles.
Giles returned home Wednesday, but he has an emergency bag packed.
“It’s been very concerning and very emotional, we all thought we were on the verge of losing our homes,” he said.
Residents in the Basinview neighbourhood, located just outside the 30-minute evacuation zone, said they are feeling tense.
“We are all very scared and very anxious, we know what has happened to our friends who live in the community and have been directly impacted and lost their homes,” said resident Allison Garber. “You try to look for the important things like clothes to get you through a few days, important documents and electronics.”
A statement from the province at the time said the fire was moving rapidly and people were told to stay away from the area.
Another emergency alert was issued at approximately 8:40 p.m., giving residents in the area of Viscount Run a 30-minute precautionary notice to possibly evacuate due to wildland fire.
An alert was later issued around 10 p.m., saying an evacuation order for the area surrounding Farmers Dairy Lane was rescinded, but residents were told a future evacuation may occur with 30 minutes notice.
A pre-evacuation notice is in place for the following streets:
- Olive Street
- Bernard Street
- Estelle Street
- Lewis Street
- Farmers Dairy Lane
- Giles
- Bluewater Road
- Topsaild
- Command
- Gary Martin
- Lasalle
- Casetlestone
- Hammonds Plains Road from the intersection of Larry Uteck and Giles drives
The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) updated a map of the fire evacuation areas and the local state of emergency area Tuesday night:
A map of Halifax fire evacuation areas and the local state of emergency area as of Tuesday night. (Source: Halifax Regional Municipality)
The HRM also said Tuesday night that a comfort centre at the LeBrun Recreation Centre had closed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.