**** LANDS/FORESTRY Media Releases
Porters Lake Wildfire
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Provincial wildfire fighting crews are fighting a wildfire in the Porters Lake area of Halifax Regional Municipality. The fire is estimated to cover about 40 hectares, but is growing.
The fire started at about 12:30 p.m. today, May 23, on the north side of Highway 107. Shortly after fire crews arrived on scene, the fire intensified and jumped Highway 107 between Exits 18 and 19.
Lands and Forestry crews are on the ground and three helicopters are in the air. Personnel from Halifax Fire and HRM Emergency Management Office, RCMP, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal and other supporting partners are also on the scene.
An evacuation order of about 1,000 residents is underway by Halifax Fire, with more residents on standby.
A portion of Highway 107 has been closed to traffic. The public is asked to avoid the area.
Quick Facts:
— no homes have been lost at this time
— the cause of the fire is unknown
— updates about the wildfire will be provided over social media @NSLandsForestry
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Additional Resources:
Burn restrictions across the province are updated daily here: http://novascotia.ca/BurnSafe/
Fire weather forecasts are available here: http://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/forecasts.asp
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Media Guide to Forest Fires is available at http://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/media-guide/
