Evacuation order lifted in Ostrea Lake, N.S., after wildfire stabilizes

An evacuation order in Ostrea Lake, N.S., has been lifted following a wildfire.

People in the Ostrea Lake, N.S., area are allowed to return to their homes after a wildfire prompted an evacuation order Sunday afternoon.

The Halifax Regional Municipality said residents could return to their homes starting at 12:30 p.m. Monday. Since the evacuation order has been lifted, the evacuation centre at the Eastern Shore Community Centre has closed.

“Residents are recommended to be prepared in case the situation changes,” said HRM in a statement.

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“It was actually really frightening because we could see the fire from our house in the distance,” said Tamara McRae, who lives on Heselton Drive. “We felt like we had to get out right away.”

Officials said the wildfire near Ostrea Lake, N.S., was being held at about 30 hectares Monday morning and did not grow overnight.

“Drones from Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) conducted an overflight of the fire area this morning,” said HRM in a statement.

“Using thermal imaging they were able to identify minor hot spots with no areas of major concern.”

The Department of Natural Resources remains in command of the fire. It said 20 of its firefighters were still on scene Monday morning and a helicopter was ready to assist if needed. The department says rain Sunday night helped crews battle the fire.

“It’s being held, so that means they don’t have a full containment line around it yet; that’s what they’re working towards today,” said Scott Tingley, forest manager with the Department of Natural Resources. “The fire behaviour was significantly reduced from yesterday. With all the rain that we got yesterday, as well as the weather conditions this morning, has really allowed the crews to make good progress on securing what we call the perimeter. And once they get to that status, they’ll call it completely under control.”

Tingley said there are no reports of structure losses or damages. The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation.

HRFE and the RCMP will remain in the area to monitor the situation.

Highway 7 has reopened to traffic.

Meanwhile, people living near the wildfire are advised to close windows and doors and turn off air exchangers until air quality improves.

Wildfire started Sunday afternoon

The wildfire started Sunday afternoon, prompting the RCMP to evacuate people in the Ostrea Lake area from their homes.

A comfort and evacuation centre opened at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour, N.S., for people who had to leave the area.

Some residents were allowed to return to their homes at 8 p.m. Sunday.

‘Extremely challenging conditions’

Halifax Professional Fire Fighters said Sunday that the firefighters were facing “extremely challenging conditions” and had been pulled from the woods for safety reasons at one point.

“The fire conditions are serious, fueled by thick brush, dry vegetation and gusty winds,” said the association in a statement on Facebook at 5:25 p.m.

At 6:52 p.m., the association said rain had arrived, fire crews were making strong progress, and the situation had stabilized.

-With files from Vanessa Wright

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