Fog, heavy dew helping with firefighting efforts in Long Lake, N.S., challenges remain

Fallen trees are pictured near Paradise Lake, N.S., after a deep burning wildfire weakened their roots. (Province of Nova Scotia)

The Long Lake wildfire in West Dalhousie, N.S., continues to be held Wednesday at 8,468 hectares.

The fire, which has been burning since Aug. 13, had been considered out of control until Monday.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says while weather conditions are expected to be mostly dry for the rest of the week, fog and heavy dew are helping firefighters.

On Tuesday, crews began making progress working inward from the edges of the fire zone. That work continues Wednesday, though DNR says there are some challenges.

“Crews continue to work inward from the outer edges of the active wildfire zone. It’s a challenge on the western flank because of how deeply the fire is burning and at the SW corner where hot spots are persistent. On the eastern side, crews are in about 150 feet and advancing,” reads the latest update on the department’s X account.

DNR says crews also continue to map and address hazards in a 300-foot radius of each property in the West Dalhousie area.

They are looking for things like hot spots, ash pits and trees with weakened roots from fire burning underground.

Crews from Ontario are currently wrapping up their deployment.

The following resources were on scene at Long Lake on Wednesday:

• nine helicopters
• four planes with bird dog
• about seven pieces of heavy equipment
• 40 DNR staff
• four firefighters from Ontario
• 60 firefighters from Quebec
• support staff

More evacuees allowed to return home

Evacuees from 22 addresses, including 19 residences, were allowed to return home on Tuesday:

• 484 to 1073 Morse Road
• 4272 and 4291 Thorne Road
• 49, 77 and 321 Neaves Road

The province says power will be restored once people are back in their homes and extra waste collection has been arranged for Thursday.

About 110 civic addresses from the initial evacuation order are not yet safe for re-entry:

• the section of West Dalhousie Road from Che-Boag-A-Nish Road to Meadow Road
• all of Heartland Road and Medicraft Lane
• addresses on Thorne Road not listed above

People at about 360 civic addresses were allowed to return home last week.

Woods ban still in effect in some areas

The ban on entering the woods remains in effect in the following counties:

• Pictou
• Colchester
• Cumberland
• Hants
• Lunenburg
• Kings
• Annapolis
• Queens
• Shelburne
• Digby
• Yarmouth

The Nova Scotia government says the ban will remain in place in those areas until Oct. 15 or until conditions have improved enough for them to be lifted.

Nova Scotia first introduced a ban on entering the woods on Aug. 5.

A burn ban, which started on July 30, is still in effect across the province.

The fine for violating either ban is $25,000.

Air quality

There are currently no air quality statements or warnings in effect in Annapolis County.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page