Residents reconvene at their homes amidst persisting Long Lake wildfire in Nova Scotia.
Wildfire Evacuees Begin to Return Home in West Dalhousie, N.S.
After weeks of uncertainty, some residents are finally able to return to their homes in West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia. The wildfire that has been burning out of control in the area is still not fully contained, but officials have deemed it safe for a select number of civic addresses to be reopened.
According to reports, 360 civic addresses will be accessible to residents starting Wednesday, leaving 131 addresses still under the evacuation order. The County of Annapolis has implemented a navigator program to help impacted property owners and evacuees access necessary supports.
Brian "Fuzzy" Connell, the Annapolis County councillor for District 10, has been meeting with evacuees and says they are eager to return home. One such resident, Stan Krotch, expressed his joy at being back at his cottage on Wednesday.
However, residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines. Officials remind everyone that the wildfire is still burning and conditions can change rapidly. Residents should be prepared to leave their homes again if necessary.
To enter their homes, evacuees must provide a piece of ID that proves their civic address, while seasonal property owners can show a bill that includes that address. There are checkpoints in place on Crisp and West Dalhousie roads, and evacuees must enter through those checkpoints.
Residents around Trout Lake and Zwickers Lake are allowed to return at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively. Residents on West Dalhousie Road from Highway 10 to Che-Boag-A-Nish Road and Che-Boag-A-Nish Road (Connell Lake) will be allowed back starting at 1 p.m.
Two groups of evacuees are allowed to return this morning, and a third group will return this afternoon. Highway 10 will reopen to the general public at 4 p.m.
The burn ban, which started on July 30, is still in effect across the province. Violating either ban can result in a fine of $25,000. The woods ban remains in effect in Pictou, Colchester, Cumberland, Hants, Lunenburg, Kings, Annapolis, Queens, Shelburne, Digby, and Yarmouth counties until Oct. 15 or until conditions improve.
The Department of Natural Resources says the wildfire is still estimated to be 8,468 hectares, and crews are focusing on the southern end. If visible flames, a column of smoke with a defined source, black/brown smoke, or any other indication of an active fire is noticed, call 911 or the Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-565-2224.
An air quality warning remains in effect for Annapolis County due to smoke from the wildfire significantly reducing local air quality. Residents are urged to keep their doors and windows shut and limit their time spent outdoors. The woods ban has been lifted in Cape Breton, Richmond, Victoria, Inverness, Guysborough, Antigonish, and Halifax counties.
The Navigator Program for supporting affected property owners and evacuees of the Long Lake wildfire in Annapolis County operates daily at the Bridgetown Fire Hall. Evacuees can contact a person named Gillis by phone or email for assistance.
Residents in other parts of Nova Scotia may smell smoke due to a change in wind direction, as the Department of Emergency Management has warned. The wildfire in West Dalhousie continues to be a concern, but officials are working tirelessly to contain it and allow more residents to return home.
