N.S. Firefighters Battle Second Wildfire

USPA NEWS - As fire crews continue to fight a wildfire in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, provincial fire crews along with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency are battling another wildfire in the Upper Musquodoboit area of Halifax County.

Deputy Chief Roy Hollett, of Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, stated that the wildfire is thought to be roughly 20 hectares in size. He reports that there are more than 2 dozen trucks and 50 firefighters on scene.

Along with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, there are provincial fire crews, several other local fire departments, and a helicopter also assisting in fighting the fire. The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables says that while fire crews attack the blaze on the ground, the helicopter is dropping buckets of water from the air. The water bomber from Newfoundland and Labrador, which has been assisting in Yarmouth County, is also on its way to assist in the Musquodoboit area.

Kalin Mitchell, Chief Meteorologist for CTV News Atlantic, said in his Friday evening forecast, "Weather conditions remain generally unfavourable for combatting wildfires in the province. Similar conditions will continue Saturday, with a mix of sun, cloud and dry, hot temperatures reaching the mid-to-high 20s away from the coast."

With the hot temperatures and very dry conditions, the fire index in Nova Scotia is deemed high resulting in the DNRR issuing a no-burn order for all of Nova Scotia. It is hoped this measure will lower the risk of new wildfires and reduce the spread at the active fire events.

At this time, no homes are considered to be at risk and no evacuations are anticipated. USPA News will provide an update on both wildfire scenes in Nova Scotia when more information becomes available.