Wildfire near Barrington Lake, N.S., continues to grow
A sizeable wildfire is burning out of control in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia.
According to the province's Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, the wildfire is located near Barrington Lake and has grown to about 2,296 hectares in size.
Alex Atwood lives nearby on Cape Sable Island. Atwood says he first noticed the fire Friday from Highway 103 near Barrington and says the fire has grown significantly.
"It started back up today [Saturday], quite hard and has spread," said Atwood. "It was pretty alarming and it seems quite big, bigger than it might appear."
In a post to Twitter, DNRR says the hot, dry and windy conditions have been fueling the fire and the conditions are making it challenging for the firefighters.
Two helicopters, 35 DNRR crew members, 50 volunteer firefighters, an incident management team, and six N.B. air tankers are on site working to contain the fire.
“They’re trying to get a line around it like a forestry hose or bulldozer path. They won’t deem the fire contained until they have a good handle on the fire itself,” explained Kara McCurdy, Nova Scotia Natural Resources and Renewables wildfire prevention officer.
In a Sunday afternoon update, DNRR says local RCMP, along with EMO and the Canadian Red Cross, are assisting evacuees to a temporary shelter in Barrington's municipal building.
In an update from RCMP at 7:40 p.m., Highway 103 remains closed between exits 27 and 29.
Police are encouraging residents living on Highway 3 between Port Saxon and Birchtown to evacuate their homes. There is a mandatory evacuation order in effect for residents of Barrington Lake and Clyde River.
The community of Goose Lake is just one kilometre away from the fire but the province says no evacuation orders have been made at this time.
At least three remote cabins in the area have been impacted by the wildfire. One of the cabins is destroyed, DNRR says, while the status of the two others remains unknown. Volunteer firefighters are on scene in an effort to protect homes.
DNRR says residents from 12 homes were evacuated Saturday night. Some residents had returned Sunday morning. However, throughout the day the fire grew leaving the Nova Scotia Search and Rescue assisting with evacuating families living in the area.
Clyde River resident Alan Harris and his family had started barbecuing dinner when they were told to grab what they can and leave their home.
“When I got up this morning I heard that it had cleaned up even worse and now it’s heading toward the houses right now,” Harris explained. “I don’t think about as long as I’ve lived here in Clyde, ever seeing anything like this.”
According to McCurdy, the hot, dry and windy condition is making it challenging to contain the fire.
“We need rain and we mean significant rain sustained several days. Over 10 plus millimeters and as it sits right now there’s really nothing forecasted.”
There is currently a burn ban in place for that region and residents are encouraged to check the provinces website and adhere to the burning status where it applies.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Locks of Beethoven's hair may reveal what caused his deafness, scientists say
High levels of lead detected in authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair suggest that the composer had lead poisoning, which may have contributed to ailments he endured over the course of his life, including deafness, according to new research.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.