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
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.