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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.