The Nova Scotia government says a number of homes have been damaged by the out-of-control wildfire burning in Annapolis County.
A news release says homes were damaged on Sunday as the wildfire near Long Lake intensified during the afternoon and evening due to strong winds. It said the exact number has not been confirmed.
“My heart goes out to people evacuated from the West Dalhousie area who are worried about their homes. Please know that all Nova Scotians stand with you at this difficult time,” Premier Tim Houston said in the release.
“Our firefighters and aircraft are doing everything they can to limit damage. Unfortunately, the tinder-dry conditions are making it extremely difficult to fight this wildfire.”
The release says residents who were in the first round of evacuations on Aug. 14 — the day after the fire started — have been informed that some homes have been damaged. As further information is confirmed, the County of Annapolis will contact residents to let them know the status of their property.
The conditions prompted more evacuations on Sunday.
‘Trying to keep everyone calm’
Dustin Enslow, the deputy warden of the Municipality of the County of Annapolis, said well over 1,000 people are out of their homes.
“We’re continuing to monitor the situation and just trying to keep everyone calm,” Enslow told CBC Radio’s Information Morning Cape Breton on Monday.
The fire is now estimated to be 7,780 hectares, or roughly 77 square kilometres — more than doubling in size since the last estimate over the weekend.
Tim Donald and his wife were among the new evacuees, leaving their home Sunday in the community New Albany. Their biggest concern was their livestock — two horses, about a dozen turkeys and some chickens.
People quickly volunteered to transport the horses and turkeys, he said, which was “such a relief.” The chickens couldn’t be rounded up in time and were left with plenty of food and water. He spent the night in his truck, he said, but now has people offering places to stay.
“I’d hate to lose all our belongings, our house, our garage, our barn, all our equipment, stuff we’ve worked so hard to have,” he said. “It’s close to being gone.”
The provincial Natural Resources Department said Sunday the fire has crossed West Dalhousie Road at several points, crossed Thorne Road and moved as far as Paradise Lake.
Jim Rudderham, director of fleet and forest protection with Natural Resources, told reporters Sunday afternoon that weather conditions were working against firefighters.
“Everything in fire behaviour you don’t want happening is happening today, so we have winds, high winds, we have no rain, we have high temperatures and low humidity,” said Rudderham.
