N.S. government launches financial support program for Lake George wildfire evacuees

Nova Scotia is offering financial support for evacuees from the Lake George wildfire.

The Nova Scotia government is launching a financial support program for evacuees from the Lake George wildfire, which is still raging out of control Tuesday.

The wildfire, which prompted an evacuation order in Kings County on Sept. 29, is still estimated to be 288 hectares in size, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). There have been no reports of lost structures.

“Work continues on fire breaks and avoiding growth,” DNR said in a social media post. “Not all resources are necessarily working at all times. For example, sometimes the airspace is dedicated to helicopters doing precision water drops that support specific tactics on the ground.”

Financial support

The province’s financial support program for evacuees will open applications on Wednesday. Funding will be available until the evacuation order is lifted or until the end of the wildfire season on Oct. 31, whichever comes first.

“This has been an incredibly challenging wildfire season, and the last thing we wanted was to have Nova Scotians face another evacuation,” said Kim Masland, minister of Emergency Management, in a news release.

“We know evacuations are stressful. That’s why we’re providing financial support while residents are displaced from their homes.”

The maximum amount of support is $3,000 per adult and $1,750 per minor. People who had to leave secondary homes such as camps and cottages are not eligible for the program.

People who had to leave their homes will receive money based on how long they have been away:

• four-to-seven days: $500 per adult and $200 per minor
• eight-to-14 days: an additional $500 per adult and an additional $200 per minor
• 15 days or more: an additional $250 per week per adult and an additional $200 per minor

So far, 353 properties have been evacuated due to the wildfire. It is unknown when residents will be able to go home.

A 24/7 evacuation shelter is open at the Louis Millett Community Complex in New Minas.

Resources

On Tuesday, the following resources are fighting the wildfire:

• 62 DNR firefighters
• 39 B.C. firefighters
• 23 local firefighters
• four NWT planes
• two Newfoundland planes
• five contracted helicopters
• one DNR helicopter
• 30 pieces of heavy equipment

Air quality

Air quality statements from Environment Canada remain in effect for Annapolis and Kings counties.

People in the area are asked to limit their time outside and to keep their doors and windows closed as often as possible.

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

Burn, woods bans

The burn and woods bans remain in effect in Annapolis County. People are not allowed to travel in wooded areas or have open fires until further notice.

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

Hot spot in West Dalhousie

On Monday evening, DNR said a hot spot at the Long Lake wildfire in West Dalhousie flared up.

“We’ve flown over the area, the fire is still under control, there is no immediate risk to the community,” DNR said.

The Long Lake wildfire started on Aug. 13 and grew to 8,468 hectares (or 84 square kilometres). Crews officially brought it under control on Sept. 27.

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Haeley DiRisio

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