Shelburne fire surpasses 20,000 hectares, air quality alert extends to Lockeport

DNRR Spokesperson David Rockwood is leading communication efforts on the Barrington Complex of fires which as of Thursday afternoon includes three out-of-control wildfires in Barrington Lake, Pubnico and Lake Road.

Rockwood says there are over 100 DNRR staff on site across the three fires as they prepare for another evening of tough conditions.

Throughout the day they have been able to implement some fire protection strategies; including over 3 kilometers of dozer break along the Southeast perimeter of the Barrington Lake fire.

There have also been over 8 fixed-wing waterbombers from different sources dispatched to the Barrington complex of fires throughout Thursday and their work will continue into the evening.

Meantime, an air quality alert is being issued for Lockeport. Smoke from fires is causing dangerous air quality issues in the area.

Weather conditions could cause air quality issues to persist for the next 24 hours.

UPDATED: 2:00 p.m.

NS Fisheries Minister Steve Craig said the lobster industry is watching the fire in Shelburne closely on Thursday as concerns grow it may head towards Barrington and Cape Sable Island which house a significant amount of lobster infrastructure.

“There are hundreds of boats and over 10 lobster facilities in the area, all that could be severly damaged with a slight change in wind,” Craig said.

Craig says work is being done to protect the lobster industry but the province and DNRR remain priortized on stopping the fires from growing and protecting the lives of Nova Scotians.

For more details on the fires impact on the lobster industry view the full story.

Another hot, dry day as wildfires continue to burn in Shelburne County.

The 18,000 hectare fire that started in Barrington Lake continues to have dozens of firefighters and multiple aircraft on scene.

Barrington and Clark’s Harbour’s EMO office telling residents today to be prepared to evacuated at a moment’s notice.

They say with the change in wind direction and the unpredictability of the fire, more areas could be affected.

50 homes or cottages have already been destroyed.

RCMP are asking people to avoid travelling into Shelburne and Barrington unless necessary.

About 40 percent of county residents have already been evacuated, and visibility is poor.

Meanwhile, the now 120 hectare fire on Lake Road in Shelburne continues to burn out of control.

Inpatients at Roseway Hospital had to be evacuated last night.

Highway 103 between Exits 27 and 30 remains closed, comfort centres are set up in Shelburne, Barrington and Yarmouth.

A fire in East Pubnico is now at 163 hectares, but is not threatening any structures.

UPDATED: 9 p.m. Wednesday:

The biggest wildfire in our province’s history continues to burn in Shelburne County.

The 17,000 hectare blaze is still growing with no change to the weather forecast and is now forcing new evacuations as on Wednesday evening.

Mandatory evacuations:

• Civic Address 1518 Lake Road through to Jordan Bay.
• From 674 Sandy Point Road through Lower Sandy Point, Jordan Bay, Jordan Ferry to the Jordan Branch Road. Jordan Branch Road remains open.

Recommended evacuation:

• 243 Sandy Point Road to 650 Sandy Point Road
• Including Roseway Park, School Street, Commission Street, Harbourside Landing, Mayflower Road (the old Boys School), Shelburne Diesel, Shelburne Ship Repair, Ven-Rez, Bill Harris Transport Coastal Tails and Adamant Drive. The Lake Road up to Civic Address 1536.

The Roseway Hospital was part of this evacuation order and everyone was relocated safely. Nova Scotia Health says 15 inpatients are being transported to South Shore Regional and Fisherman’s Memorial hospitals.

Updates will be provided via the Shelburne County East EMO Facebook group which can be found by this link: https://www.facebook.com/shelburneemo

The EMO office urging folks in the path of the thick smoke conditions to consider re-locating, if possible. Meantime, schools in Shelburne County are closed for the rest of the week, and NSCC in Shelburne is also closed due to evacuations.

Crews are fighting a new wildfire near Lake Road in the Municipality of the District of Shelburne.

The fire is estimated at 20 hectares and considered out of control. There are 20 firefighters are battling the fire with three helicopters and a water bomber from Newfoundland and Labrador.

Pubnico, Yarmouth County update:

The fire is still out of control and covers 163 hectares.

Firefighters on scene include 20 from DNRR and 10 volunteer/municipal.

There is one helicopter is on scene.

DNRR will move their incident command centre to Shelburne Regional High School.

Meanwhile, patience is growing thin for the 2,000 plus already evacuated from their homes. Dozens of structures have been damaged, the province says around 50 in Shelburne County.

One listener tells us she’s got four kids, and they’re waiting to hear the status of their home in Barrington Lake. Another tells us most of her property in Goose Lake has burned, and a new deck was built just weeks ago.

Those evacuated may not be able to return to their properties for another week.

Nova Scotia government website

Some updates from the provincial update on wildfires from Wednesday.

• • 20 woodland firefighters from New York and New Hampshire have joined the efforts
  • More light utility trucks are needed across the province for improved mobility.
  • The province is actively seeking accommodations, including dorm rooms, to house individuals affected by the situation.
  • Shelburne is receiving support from the Coast Guard.
  • Additional water bombers are being requested, as there are none available at the moment. The federal government may consider renting some.
  • The possibility of involving military firefighters is being explored.
  • There are currently 14 active fires across the province, with 3 of them being out of control.
  • Additional reinforcements will be arriving in the coming days, and they will receive briefings before being deployed accordingly.

Meantime, municipal governments have been following the province’s lead imposing restrictions on many of their recreation spaces like parks and trails. The following municipalities are restricting use of parks and trails.

• Municipality of Lunenburg
• Region of Queens
• Lunenburg
• Bridgewater
• Municipality of Shelburne

Chopper pilot refuels before more water drops. NS Gov’t photo.

Community stepping up

Community donations continue to help those who have been displaced by the fires.

The Barrington Lions Club is taking in a lot of items from the public and local businesses.

Greg Waybret with the club says they’ve got food and everyday necessities.

“Yesterday we saw a young guy come in with four kids. They said can we have something to eat, because we have nowhere to go. That’s heartbreaking. We’re happy to be able to help where we can,” said Waybret.

He says their Facebook page is the place to go to find out what they need.

Comfort centres are located at the arena in Barrington and Shelburne community centre.

A 24/7 comfort centre is also in operation at the Yarmouth Fire Hall.

Meantime, a number of individuals and groups have stepped in Yarmouth to help hose affected by the Barrington Lake/Shelburne County wildfire. The Yarmouth fire hall at 221 pleasant street is  open 24/7 as a comfort centre for those affected by the fire.

The staffing of the comfort centre has been taken over by the Yarmouth Wesleyan Church. Anyone interested in helping or providing food, or other items, can contact Pastor Dave Hockley.

Shelburne Exhibition helping out

Going above and beyond in a time of need.

That’s what many organizations have been doing the last few days. The Shelburne County Exhibition grounds are taking in stranded people, and livestock.

Exhibition President James Matthews says they’re just looking to help.

“We’ve opened up our campground as well for those with RV’s, campers and tents that have been displaced,” said Matthews.

Matthews says the community is really coming together, they had donations of camping equipment within 15 minutes.

You can reach out to the Shelburne community centre for more information, or call 902-319-0054.

Highway 103 remains closed from Exits 27-30, and the area between Barrington West and Birchtown has been evacuated. If you’ve been evacuated, you should register with the comfort centre at the Shelburne Fire Hall or the Sandy Wickens Memorial Arena.

That way, you can be contacted when you’re allowed back to your home.