Crews battling a fire in the Barrington Lake area of Nova Scotia’s Shelburne County ended the weekend “with smiles on their faces at the end of the day” thanks to a heavy downpour, a Department of Natural Resources official says.
The fire, which has been burning since May 27, is still out of control and covers an area of 24,980 hectares, or about 250 square kilometers.
But Scott Tingley, the director of forest protection for the provincial Department of Natural Resources, said Monday the rain has enabled firefighters to move from a more indirect approach to fighting the flames to a direct approach.
He told CBC Radios Information Morning Nova Scotia that before the rains started, when conditions were pinnacle dry, temperatures were high and the fire was dangerous to be near, crews were building firebreaks to try to slow the spread of the blaze.
As the fire begins to cool, crews work on the fire perimeter, removing anything that could fuel the flames, patrolling and identifying potentially problematic areas.
Tingley said the blaze’s status will remain out of control until officials are confident there are no lingering hot spots that could flare up once the weather warms again.
Speaking from a local comfort center, Barrington executive Eddie Nickerson said rebuilding the community “will not be a short process.”
The county said Monday there are about 150 Department of Natural Resources (DNR) firefighters working at the site and more than 40 from volunteer and municipal fire departments. Four helicopters are on scene, as well as four water bombers from Montana.
In addition to the rain that fell in the area all weekend, 15 to 25 millimeters are expected during the day on Monday, with another five to 10 millimeters on Monday night and two to four millimeters on Tuesday, according to Environment Canada’s forecast.
‘Everyone is happy with the rain’
Shelburne resident Louise Lindsay said the rain has encouraged residents and firefighters.
“Everyone is happy to see the rain,” she said Information Morning Nova Scotia on Monday.
“Things were encouraging yesterday because things that they had turned off and were going to go back to check were actually still off, while on Saturday they went back to check places where they put out hot spots and they were burning again. So the rain is making all the difference .”
Lindsay said firefighters were treated to a surprise dinner at Birchtown Town Hall this weekend, where they received a standing ovation, a sit-down dinner and lobster rolls to go.
Schoolchildren in the area, who have been out of school for about a week, made posters that were put up along the power poles leading to the firehouse to thank the firefighters for their work, Lindsay said.
Highway 103 is closed from Exit 27 to Exit 30 to allow crews to inspect it and ensure safety.
Other fires outside Halifax are now under control.
The evacuation order for some residents has been lifted
Some residents of Shelburne County still have an evacuation order, while others have been allowed to return home. On Monday afternoon, the mandatory evacuation order was lifted for residents of the region spread across:
- From 2794 Highway 3 (Saint Phillip’s Roman Catholic Church / Downey Brook) to 1225 Port Latour Road (includes Reynoldscroft, part of Eel Bay, and Blanche)
- Oak Park Road
- River road
- Old Post Road
- Village Street
- Barrington
- Smithsville
- Baccaro
- McGill Road (McGill Lake area of Upper Clyde Road) to 2461 Upper Clyde Road
- From exit 27 along Highway 3 at Birchtown to 1634 Shore Road in Gunning Cove
The fire on Lake Road, just south of the town of Shelburne, is contained on 114 acres. It has not grown since Saturday and some evacuated residents have been allowed to return to their homes.
Meanwhile, near Lower East Pubnico in Yarmouth County, the fire covers 138 acres and is also under control.
On Sunday afternoon, the county lifted restrictions on travel and forest activities in all areas except Shelburne County and wherever evacuation orders are in effect, effective midnight.
Activities that are now allowed include hiking, camping, fishing, and using vehicles in the forest. The countywide ban on fires remains in effect, and the fine for a violation is $25,000.
Natasha Pennell and her family have been evacuated twice as wildfires continue to burn in Shelburne County. Pennell’s son Laine said seeing the firefighters save houses motivates him to be one himself.
Health clinics
On Monday and Tuesday, residents can make appointments for non-urgent health care at Barrington Community Health Clinic anytime from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., where a mobile clinic will operate.
Residents are asked to call 902-637-1378 to make an appointment and call back if they can’t get through.
A mobile clinic for non-emergency care is currently open at the Shelburne Community Center through Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Shelburne Family Practice team offers telephone primary care appointments. Call 902-637-1378 to make a reservation.
Queens Family Health in Liverpool offers primary care appointments for people in Barrington or Shelburne. Call 902-354-3322 Monday through Friday.
Mental health and addictions staff will be present at the Sandy Wickens Memorial Arena in Barrington and the Shelburne Community Center until 5 p.m. Monday
For a full list of mental health support available to people affected by the wildfires, Click here.
