Ostrea Lake wildfire now under control: Nova Scotia DNR

A wildfire burning in Ostrea Lake, N.S., - 60 kilometres east of Halifax - is pictured from the air on June 22, 2025. (Courtesy: Keigan Miller)

Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNR) says the wildfire in the Ostrea Lake area is now under control and only six hectares in size.

According to DNR, around 20 of its firefighters are still on scene with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, and work is expected to continue on hot spots for a couple days.

Earlier on Monday, DNR said the fire was being held at an estimated 30 hectares. Residents were allowed to return to their homes when the evacuation order was lifted around 12:30 p.m.

The forest manager with DNR, Scott Tingley, said Monday there were no reports of structure losses or damage, and the cause and origin of the fire was still under investigation.

‘Challenging conditions’

The wildfire was first reported Sunday afternoon.

In a statement on Sunday, Halifax Professional Fire Fighters said firefighters were facing “extremely challenging conditions” and were pulled from the woods for safety reasons at a point.

Firefighters said the conditions at that time were serious and fueled by thick brush and dry vegetation.

Later in the day Sunday, firefighters said rain in the area was helping crews battle the wildfire.

Evacuation orders

The RCMP issued an evacuation order for the Ostrea Lake area Sunday afternoon but some people were allowed to return to their homes Sunday night.

A comfort and evacuation centre opened at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour for evacuees. It closed Monday once residents were allowed to return to their homes.

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