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
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.