Crews remain at the scene of an out-of-control wildfire burning in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis County that is now listed at 3,210 hectares, roughly 32 square kilometres.
The Department of Natural Resources updated information on the Long Lake blaze in a social media post on Monday afternoon.
The change in size is due to crews getting a more precise measurement while there was less smoke on Monday morning. The figure earlier in the day was 2,063 hectares.
In a news conference Monday afternoon, Natural Resources said no damage to homes has been reported.
“The fire has burned up to basically the south edge of Spectacle Lake … and a narrow fingerhead crossed the West Dalhousie Road there, a short excursion in and around Fairns Road … that’s where it’s at this afternoon,” said Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection.
Some property, including campers and trailers, has been destroyed, the department said, but efforts that included the use of sprinklers, hoses and barriers to protect structures have been effective.
“When it appeared that it was imminent that the fire was maybe going to impact the community … they turned on the sprinklers,” said Tingley. “It’s really, really remarkable what they were able to do.”
For now, winds have shifted away from where any homes are located, said Tingley.
“Low wind is ideal, but north winds are favourable for the objectives right now,” he said.
Officials have evacuated 107 homes in the West Dalhousie area, affecting roughly 215 people.
There are 93 Department of Natural Resources firefighters on the ground, plus 15 local firefighters, 22 from Ontario and five from Prince Edward Island.
There were four planes from the Northwest Territories and two contracted helicopters helping fight the fire Monday.
According to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, three more helicopters are on the way from Saskatchewan.
He said the province has no plans to purchase a fixed-wing water bomber, but that may change in the future.
“We’re concerned about the fires. We’re concerned about the frequency of them, so we want to make sure that our teams have the best possible assets to fight them,” Houston said.
“It could be that as we go forward … that’s a part of it, but it’s an evaluation right now. We’re fighting the fires with everything we have.”
Dustin Enslow, the deputy warden of the Municipality of the County of Annapolis, said rain that fell overnight provided some hope for crews.
“At this point, there hasn’t been any additional evacuations orders,” Enslow told CBC’s Information Morning Cape Breton on Monday morning.
CBC meteorologist Tina Simpkin said between 15 and 20 millimetres of rain fell in the area of the wildfire overnight Sunday.
Natural Resources said Sunday that while rain is appreciated, it wouldn’t be enough to make a measurable impact.
Enslow said evacuees are on edge.
“They are very anxious and nervous and worried about what’s to come, but at the same time, they are thankful for the support of everyone who is actually fighting the fire and the overwhelming support from the rest of Nova Scotia,” said Enslow.
Enslow said people weren’t allowed back to retrieve any belongings on Monday because of the way the fire expanded and crossed the road in West Dalhousie.
“This is an ever-changing situation with that. I know we were able to do it for the first few days, however today they had to stop. We were told that no one is able to enter the area unless you’re directly supporting the fire, for safety and allowing DNR to do their job,” he said.
On Friday, a helicopter crashed into a lake while helping fight the wildfire.
A statement from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada on Saturday said the pilot of the Airbus AS 350 B3 had minor injuries.
“We are currently gathering data and information on the occurrence, while assessing the next steps,” the statement said.
In a news release on Sunday afternoon, the federal government announced it has approved a request for assistance from Nova Scotia.
The full extent of the resources that will be deployed is not yet known, but Eleanor Olszewski, the federal minister of emergency management and community resilience, said the government is working with the Canadian Armed Forces and other partners to “ensure Nova Scotia has the support it needs.”
According to Patricia Jreige, spokesperson for Nova Scotia’s Department of Emergency Management, the province asked Ottawa for permission to use CFB Greenwood to land and refuel the four skimmer planes that have arrived from the Northwest Territories.
Over the weekend, evacuees were allowed to briefly return home with an escort to pick up clothes and grab essential items like medications.
Enslow said Sunday that most of the people affected are staying with family and friends, but others have been camping.
There are six wildfires burning in the province. Long Lake, which started last Wednesday, is the only one listed as out of control.
Environment Canada’s air quality health index forecasts a low risk for much of the province for Monday and Tuesday. It forecasts a moderate risk for parts of the Annapolis Valley where smoke could be a factor.
The national weather forecaster has issued special air quality statements for Annapolis and Queens counties.
