**** HRM Media Release
Halifax Regional Municipality declares local state of emergency
Effective 11 p.m. tonight, Mayor Mike Savage and Regional Council have declared a local state of emergency in the communities affected by the fires. The local state of emergency will be in effect for seven days, unless otherwise lifted or extended.
Emergency responders are working around the clock to keep people safe and reduce the threats posed by the fires in the Tantallon and Hammonds Plains areas. Residents are urged to follow the directives of emergency responders.
Under the Emergency Management Act, declaring a state of local emergency is a legal mechanism that provides the municipal government with a higher level of intergovernmental coordination, access to emergency discretionary funds, the ability to mobilize additional supports, organizations and businesses to support evacuated residents.
The municipality will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves. The most up-to-date information is available at halifax.ca/fire and @hfxgov on Twitter.
(photo contributed)
