Over 350 residences and cottages in the Lake George region of Kings County have been evacuated as a wildfire rages uncontrollably.
The blaze, which ignited on Sunday, was reported to cover an area of 290 hectares by Wednesday, as indicated in a social media update from the Department of Natural Resources. On Tuesday, the estimated size was 150 hectares.
As of Wednesday evening, there have been no indications of structural damage, according to the update on X.
“Despite the windy conditions, firefighting teams are making significant headway in constructing dozer guards and applying wet lines using hoses and pumps,” the post stated.
On Wednesday morning, an additional 78 properties were evacuated, as reported by Dan Stovel, the regional emergency management co-ordinator for Kings County.
This brings the total number of evacuations to 353, he noted, with 79 of those being full-time residences rather than seasonal cottages.
Stovel mentioned that approximately 65 evacuees have registered at a reception centre located at the Louis Millett Community Complex in New Minas, and that figure is anticipated to rise throughout Wednesday.
A tanker is seen near the Lake George wildfire on Wednesday. (Brett Ruskin/CBC)
An alert issued at 10:14 a.m. AT announced the new evacuation areas, which include Aylesford Road from Fox Mountain Camping Park to 3847 Aylesford Rd., all locations on Spruce Drive, Birch Lane, and Blue Lane, as well as addresses between 5 North River Rd. and 1493 North River Rd.
David Corkum, mayor of the Municipality of the County of Kings, noted that evacuees are experiencing anxiety but are grateful for the support from residents across Nova Scotia. He mentioned that one community volunteer traveled around 500 kilometres from Sydney to assist.
“It’s been quite stressful,” Corkum shared during an interview on CBC Radio’s Information Morning Nova Scotia on Wednesday. “People are feeling really desperate, anxious, and extremely worried about what they’ll return to.”
The wildfire has created an atmosphere of unease for other local residents.
Akke Leyenaar is retired and lives on Aylesford Lake year-round. She’s preparing to leave in the event the Lake George wildfire heads in her direction. (Celina Aalders/CBC)
Akke Leyenaar, a retiree residing year-round on Aylesford Lake, stated that her Jeep is fully packed and ready for evacuation if her home is endangered.
She mentioned that she had taken precautions earlier this summer, as several wildfires had erupted across the province, including one that resulted in the destruction of 20 homes in the Long Lake area of Annapolis County.
“I organized all my important documents, insurance papers, and banking information,” Leyenaar shared during an interview on Wednesday, while water bombers flew above.
“It’s definitely stressful, but I anticipated this situation and prefer to be prepared. This is how I manage my stress—by being ready for anything.”
On Wednesday, a team comprising 23 Department of Natural Resources personnel and 20 local firefighters worked to combat the fire.
Six aircraft — four from the Northwest Territories and two from Quebec — were engaged in water drops, supported by two contracted helicopters and one from the Department of Natural Resources.
A water bomber flies near the scene of the Lake George wildfire. (Celina Aalders/CBC)
Eighteen heavy machinery units were present to establish fire breaks, an increase from the six that were deployed on Tuesday.
Jim Rudderham, DNR’s director of fleet and forest protection, informed reporters earlier in the week that the cause of the fire remains undetermined, although it is suspected that human activity is to blame, given the absence of lightning in the vicinity.
“It’s frustrating for everyone involved when situations like this occur,” Rudderham commented.
The wildfire erupted just a day after the Long Lake wildfire, which started on August 13, was finally reported as under control.
Due to ongoing wildfire incidents in Nova Scotia, the provincial government has extended the wildfire season through to October 31.
In an official statement, the province announced that a complete burn ban will remain in effect for Annapolis County, while daily burn restrictions will be enforced in other counties until the end of the month. Violating the ban could result in a fine of $25,000.
Wildfire season, which typically spans from March 15 to October 15, was previously extended by a week in 2016 due to drought conditions.
