**** HRM Media Release
Municipal fires and impacts update – June 6, 7:30 p.m.
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following updates to municipal services as well as supports to those impacted by the fires.
The municipality has started the recovery phase. Residents can expect a public service announcement once-a-day, pending any significant update, summarizing key developments.
Access to information for residents in the area of significant impact
Major insurance companies and their representatives will be available to speak with affected residents on Wednesday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Canada Games Centre. This will be the final day representatives are available to speak with affected residents.
Comfort centre
The Black Point & Area Community Centre (8579 St Margarets Bay Road) will be open as a comfort centre from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily until further notice.
Well-water testing kits
The municipality is facilitating the distribution of well-water testing kits for residents with wells in the evacuation zones after they have returned to their properties. The Province of Nova Scotia is providing the well-water test kits and facilitating the testing process.
Residents must not drink their well water until the testing is complete and they have results indicating it is safe to drink.
The capacity of lab testing determines the quantity of kits that can be distributed at any time. The sample can only be collected after the resident has completed a multi-day process that includes disinfecting their well, as outlined by provincial guidelines.
Completed test kits, with a sample of the resident’s well water, must be returned to the below drop-off locations within 24 hours of the sample being collected in order for labs to process valid results.
Well-water testing kits are available at the following times and locations:
| Pick-up
Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre (711 Pockwock Road, Hammonds Plains) |
Drop-off
Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre (711 Pockwock Road, Hammonds Plains) |
| Residents can pick up a test kit on: | And then drop off the completed sample no earlier than: |
| Wednesday, June 7 | 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Monday, June 12 | Before 12 noon |
| Thursday, June 8 | 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Tuesday, June 13 | Before 12 noon |
| Friday, June 9 | 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Wednesday, June 14 | Before 12 noon |
Change in time and location: Residents who picked up kits on Tuesday, June 6 must now drop off completed samples to the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre (711 Pockwock Road, Hammonds Plains) on Sunday, June 11 before 12 noon.
Halifax Water has set up water stations where residents can fill their own containers with drinking water. These stations are self-serve, and are available at the following locations:
- 134 Micmac Drive – Micmac Drive Park
- 290 White Hills Run – Madeline Symonds Middle School
- 297 Pockwock Road – White Hills Care Centre
- 711 Pockwock Road – Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre
After a wildfire, well water may be contaminated with bacteria and chemicals that can make you sick. Contamination can come from the fire itself and from chemicals that seep into the water supply if items such as oil tanks are damaged. For information on well safety, please see provincial guidelines.
Solid Waste
The municipality is relaxing garbage limits for residents in the evacuation zone with regular garbage collection on Wednesday, June 7.
To allow for prompt disposal of spoiled food, the municipality is providing a drop-off food waste bin for residents in areas that experienced power loss during the mandatory evacuation. Packaged food is permitted. Garbage and leaf/yard waste are not permitted. Glass jars (with contents) must be kept separate and placed in the totes that are on-site.
The drop-off bin will be located at the Emmanuel Baptist Church (633 Pockwock Road, Upper Hammonds Plains). This site will be open Wednesday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Recovery phase
The municipality continues the planning process for the safe return of residents to their homes.
Effective Tuesday, June 6, due to the diminished wildfire risk, the Province of Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources has handed control of impacted and evacuated areas to the municipality.
A number of risks need to be assessed, such as propane and oil tank integrity, soil contamination, air quality concerns and structural damage, before further evacuation orders are lifted.
The municipality is collaborating with the Province of Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment and Climate Change – as well as public health officials, contractors and service providers – to complete assessments of these risks. The results of these assessments will determine when residents can return to their homes.
More information on future openings will be announced once it is safe for residents to return.
Please visit halifax.ca/fire or follow @hfxgov on Twitter for all updates.
