forest fire: Latest News

Media were invited Tuesday to view the wreckage left behind by a wildfire that swept through the Halifax-area communities of Tantallon and Hammonds Plains over the last week.The fire, which broke out on May 28, destroyed about 200 buildings, including 151 homes, and forced the evacuation of more than 16,400 people. Many evacuees have since been able to return home, but about 4,000 remain displaced.The fire is now under control and 100 per cent contained, and is not expected to spread further.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered for parts of Bedford, N.S., just outside Halifax, due to a wildfire and potential ammonia leak.

devastating wildfire burning near Halifax, which crews are continuing to work on Tuesday.In a statement Monday night, the municipality said a full assessment of the damage cannot yet be confirmed, and the estimated numbers are based on initial visual inspectors by first responders.The municipality said it is currently developing a plan to support affected residents “once detailed mapping is completed.”“It is anticipated that this process will take several days, or maybe longer, as the fires remain active,” it said, adding that representatives from the Insurance Bureau of Canada will be available to speak with affected residents at the evacuation centre at the Canada Games Centre.The blaze broke out Sunday afternoon in the Tantallon area, about a 30-minute drive from downtown Halifax, and has since grown to about 788 hectares. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place in a number of neighbourhoods, impacting more than 16,400 residents.In an update Tuesday morning, Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Deputy Chief Dave Meldrum said most of the 200 damaged structures were single-family homes, but they also included detached buildings like garages and sheds.“Our thoughts are with the residents affected by this terrible fire,” he said.Meldrum said the fire behaviour Monday night was “stable” due to favourable weather conditions and firefighters were able to make some progress.HRFE has 60 firefighters, six engines, 10 tankers and a number of other ancillary units at the scene, he said.

wildfire outside Halifax continues to burn out of control, stories of kindness and heroism are being revealed.The forest fire in the Tantallon and Hammonds Plains areas of Nova Scotia began Sunday afternoon, and was estimated to be 788 hectares by Monday evening. Some 16,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes, while other homes have been destroyed and a local state of emergency was declared.As the flames spread on Sunday, people scrambled to grab their belongings and evacuate the area. Lisa Parsons, the manager of Pampered Paws Inn, sprang into action during the fire and saved 18 dogs from the doggy daycare by running through the bushes.The scratches on her legs tell the tale of what she and her helpers endured.The mission was not easy, and they only had one chance.“The rule was you got to do it (in) one trip,” she said.

Deputy Chief Dave Meldrum confirmed the forest fire began as a call on Juneberry Lane in Upper Tantallon, N.S.By now, the out-of-control blaze had destroyed homes, forced the evacuation of thousands of residents, and led to a local state of emergency for the Tantallon and Hammonds Plains areas.While officials haven’t confirmed how many homes were damaged, Meldrum said at least 10 structures were destroyed. The evacuation tally sits at around 14,000.“We have a lot of work to do today, this week, for many days,” Meldrum said.“This is difficult, and residents must be prepared to remain out of their homes for several days, at least.”Drennan and her family are spread out at three different homes for now.