**** HRM Media Release
Municipal fires and impacts update – June 9, 4:40 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 recovery phase continues, and regular updates will continue to be provided by the municipality summarizing key developments.
Evacuation orders lifted
As previously announced, the municipality further lifted evacuation orders for most of the Phase 3 area.
To accelerate the re-entry process, no identification was required for homeowners to return to their communities where evacuation orders had been lifted. The remaining areas of significant impact continue to have check-points, as well as a presence from a combination of municipal staff and security roving patrols.
The province has resources for those returning home who have been directly impacted by fire damage.
State of local emergency lifted
The state of local emergency issued in respect of the wildfires in the Halifax Regional Municipality has been lifted as of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 9.
However, mandatory evacuation orders remain in place for the areas of significant impact as announced earlier today. More information on further openings will be announced once it is safe to lift the evacuation orders in those areas.
Solid waste
Spoiled food drop-off bins will be available until 8 p.m. on Friday, June 9 as well as Saturday, June 10 and Sunday June 11 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
- Across from 229 Winslow Drive
- High Timber Playground
- Cul de sac at end of Aralia Lane
- Cul de sac at end of Westwood Boulevard
Additional spoiled food bins will be available until 8 p.m. Friday, June 9 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 10 at the following locations:
- 15 Park Terrace
- Cul de sac at the end of Yew Street
- 53 Sylvania Terrace
- Cox Lake Road at the boat launch
The municipality thanks residents for following the below guidelines:
- Glass jars (with contents) must be kept separate and placed in the totes that are onsite
- No garbage
- No leaf/yard waste
- Packaged food is permitted
Residents who need to dispose of their refrigerators and freezers are asked to:
- Remove the contents;
- Contact 311 or fill out this online form to submit a request to remove the refrigerant gases (CFCs); and,
- Place the item(s) curbside on the next regular garbage collection day once the CFCs have been safely removed.
Regular organics and recycling collection for those residents who will be re-entering the Phase 3 evacuation area will occur on Monday, June 12 – and garbage limits will be relaxed on Monday, June 19. Residents are reminded that collection can begin as early as 7 a.m.
Residents who require a new green bin are asked to contact 311.
Wildlife impacts
The municipality is aware of the increased presence of wildlife in the area due to the fires. Staff are working with partners to mitigate this issue.
To report any issues, please contact the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.
Smoke kits, well-water testing kits, water jugs and pumps
Smoke kits, well-water testing kits, water jugs and pumps will be available for those returning home in the Phase 3 area on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre (711 Pockwock Road) as follows:
- Friday, June 9 – 6 to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, June 10 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sunday, June 11 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Monday, June 12 – 6 to 8 p.m.
Well-water and recreational water use
As per provincial guidelines, residents with wells cannot use their water for drinking, cooking and washing until test results have returned.
The municipality is also advising residents that any body of water, such as lakes, in the evacuated area may have been impacted by the wildfires.
If you are aware of an oil spill or other source of contamination in bodies of water, please contact Nova Scotia Environment & Climate Change (1-877-936-8476) to report.
Please visit halifax.ca/fire or follow @hfxgov on Twitter for all updates.
