**** DNR Release
Update on Wildfires, June 8
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NOTE: There are no further provincial media briefings on wildfires planned at this time.
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The Barrington Lake wildfire in Shelburne County is still classified as “being held.”
Being held means it is not moving, but is still not under control. Also:
— it covers 23,525 hectares (about 235 square kilometres); the reported size is expected to fluctuate in the coming days as firefighters reach more remote areas on foot and get precise GPS measurements
— about 130 firefighters from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR) and more than 40 volunteer and municipal firefighters are responding
— air resources include three helicopters.
Evacuation information for Shelburne fires is available at:
— https://www.facebook.com/shelb
— https://www.facebook.com/Barri
Fires in the following areas are under control and DNRR and volunteer/municipal firefighters are patrolling:
— Lake Road, Municipality of the District of Shelburne
— Pubnico, Yarmouth County
— Westwood Hills, Tantallon
— Hammonds Plains.
Up-to-date information on HRM comfort centres, response efforts and more, is available at https://www.halifax.ca/ and by following @hfxgov on Twitter.
People are asked to please remain away from all wildfire areas. People are also reminded to only call 911 if their health or safety is threatened and they need immediate help; for non-emergencies in HRM related to the police, people can call 902-490-5016.
Quick Facts:
— there is a provincewide ban on open fires; the fine has been increased to $25,000 for breaking the burn ban
— restrictions on travel and activities in the woods remain in Shelburne County and anywhere evacuation orders are in place
— people should not operate drones over a forest fire; drones can interfere with the suppression effort and pose a danger to aircraft and first responders
Additional Resources:
Information on school closures and other updates related to the wildfires are available at: https://novascotia.ca/alerts/
Changes to restrictions on travel and activities in the woods: https://novascotia.ca/news/rel
Burn restrictions: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe
News Release – Increased Fine for Breaking Burn Ban: https://novascotia.ca/news/rel
