Long Lake wildfire still out of control: N.S. DNR

An overview of the wildfire near Paradise Lake is seen in this handout photo in the Long Lake area of Nova Scotia's Annapolis County on Aug. 27, 2025. (The Canadian Press / Handout - Province of Nova Scotia)

Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the Long Lake wildfire is still out of control in an update on X Saturday morning.

“While good progress has been made around the perimeter, it’s still unsafe for public to enter the fire zone,” said the post. “High winds expected later today which may affect fire behaviour.”

The fire is still estimated at 8,468 hectares, said DNR.

On Thursday, officials said the out-of-control wildfire that has been burning for three weeks in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis County won’t be extinguished anytime soon.

“We still have to get this fire being held and have to get it under control … extinguish is a long ways away,” said Jim Rudderham, the director of fleet and forest protection for DNR, during a media briefing Thursday afternoon.

“It’s going to be quite some time before this fire is declared out. It’s a real possibility that we’ll be into the fall before this fire is declared out, that’s for sure.”

Rudderham said dry conditions continue to pose problems for firefighters but the morning dew and cooler temperatures expected in September should help their efforts.

“We still need to have lots of rain though.”

DNR said Thursday crews had not responded to any new wildfires for a few days. It said the only other active wildfire in the province has been contained for some time.

The Long Lake wildfire in West Dalhousie started burning on Aug. 13.

Resources

The following resources are on scene in West Dalhousie Saturday:

• 12 helicopters
• 24 DNR firefighters
• 18 Ontario firefighters
• 40 Quebec firefighters
• 60 local firefighters
• 30 pieces of heavy equipment

Some evacuees back home

Some of the people forced to evacuate their homes last month returned home on Wednesday.

The province said people at about 360 civic addresses were allowed to return.

Dave Rockwood, provincial fire and ground search and rescue co-ordinator for the Department of Emergency Management, said the staggered re-entry went well, with no major lineups at the checkpoints.

The following areas remain under evacuation orders:

• 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

Last week the province confirmed 20 homes had been destroyed and 11 outbuildings were damaged or destroyed by the fire.

Woods ban 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

The 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.

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.

Air quality statement

A special air quality statement remains in effect for Annapolis County.

Environment Canada warns smoke from the wildfire may “significantly reduce local air quality downwind,” though smoke conditions may vary as wind and fire behaviour changes.

“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.”

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

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page