Long Lake, N.S., wildfire still being held at 8,468 hectares

This photo, taken on Wednesday, Aug. 27 2025, in the Long Lake area of the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, provides an overview of the forest fire near Paradise Lake. (Province of Nova Scotia)

The Long Lake, N.S., wildfire is still being held at an estimated 8,468 hectares, but crews are concerned with the ongoing dry conditions.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says the wildfire in West Dalhousie remains the same size and there have been no new reports of damage in the area.

“Infrared camera scans are continuing and showing good progress on active areas in the northern portion of the fire,” DNR said in a social media post. “Conditions continue to get drier, making it easier for new fires to pop up inside the active wildfire zone and quiet areas to become active again.”

The fire started on Aug.13 and it was declared officially held on Sept. 8. It has destroyed 20 homes.

DNR says the incident command post was moved back to the West Dalhousie Community Centre on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the following resources were available:

• five helicopters
• seven water tankers
• two pieces of heavy equipment
• 45 DNR firefighters
• 19 Parks Canada firefighters
• 17 Quebec firefighters
• support staff

Evacuees

On Tuesday DNR allowed residents from 17 more addresses in the region to go home, provided they arrived at the checkpoint at Thorne Road and West Dalhousie Road with valid identification.

DNR says it made the decision to let evacuees return home based on air quality, road access and the behaviour of the fire.

Roughly 90 addresses in the area remain under an evacuation order.

The Municipality of the County of Annapolis renewed its local state of emergency last Friday to support firefighting efforts. The order will stay in effect for seven days unless it is renewed again or is ended.

Woods ban

The woods ban, which was implemented on Aug. 5 over concerns with dry conditions, remains in effect for the following counties:

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

The burn ban, which started on July 30, is still in effect for the entire province.

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

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page