Long Lake wildfire still out of control, crews hopeful for rain Sunday

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 wildfire in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis County is still considered to be out of control.

As of Sunday, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the fire in West Dalhousie is still estimated to be 8,468 hectares in size. The fire has not grown in about a week.

DNR said crews have wrapped the perimeter of the wildfire with fire breaks through “a mix of dozer guards and hose lines.”

“Firefighters are now advancing from the perimeter inward on the fire. In some areas, they are in 150 to 300 feet,” DNR shared Sunday.

It said Saturday was a very dry day with high winds.

“Rain is expected in the area today which will help the firefighting effort,” said DNR.

The following resources are on scene Sunday:

• 12 helicopters
• four planes and a bird dog
• 40 DNR firefighters
• 18 Ontario firefighters
• 40 Quebec firefighters
• 60 local firefighters
• five pieces of heavy machinery

Evacuation order

DNR said there are no new reports of damage. The province previously confirmed 20 homes had been destroyed and 11 outbuildings were also damaged or destroyed by the fire.

Evacuees at about 360 civic addresses were allowed to return home Sept. 3.

There are still 131 civic addresses under the evacuation order in the following areas:

• the section of West Dalhousie Road from Che-Boag-A-Nish Road to Meadow Road
• all of Heartland Road, Thorne Road and Medicraft Lane
• Morse Road remains closed from Neaves Road to West Dalhousie Road

On Friday, the Municipality of the County of Annapolis extended its local state of emergency, which was first declared on Aug. 16. It will remain in place for another seven days unless it is renewed or terminated sooner.

Air quality statement

A special air quality statement remained in effect Sunday for Annapolis County.

Environment Canada said smoke from the wildfire may lead to reduced air quality in its vicinity and directly downwind.

“You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough,” said Environment Canada.

“More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.”

The weather agency noted conditions are being monitored, anddepa it’s possible an air quality warning could once again be issued if necessary.

Residents are urged to keep their doors and windows shut and limit their time spent outdoors.

Woods ban

The provincial woods ban 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.

The province lifted its woods ban in the following counties last Friday, saying the wildfire risk has lowered in those areas:

• Cape Breton
• Richmond
• Victoria
• Inverness
• Guysborough
• Antigonish
• Halifax

Nova Scotia first introduced a ban on entering the woods on Aug. 5 alongside a burn ban that started on July 30 and remains in effect across the province.

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

-With files from CTV’s Andrea Jerrett

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page