The Long Lake wildfire in Annapolis County remains out of control and has grown to an estimated 1,101 hectares, according to the Department of Natural Resources. 

In an update Sunday, the department said that the wind had shifted, meaning the fire is moving toward the West Dalhousie Road area. 

In a media conference Sunday afternoon, Jim Rudderham, the province’s director for fleet and forest protection, said that conditions are hard for the firefighting efforts, with winds moving the fire northeast.

Measures like sprinklers, hoses and barriers are in place to protect the some houses in the area, but the fire is “within kilometres,” he said.

An earlier update said “more evacuations possible.” As of 3 p.m. Rudderham said no more evacuation orders had been issued Sunday, but they will continue to assess. 

More than 100 homes have already been evacuated.

People in the area were issued an evacuation order earlier in the week, which applies to:

West Dalhousie Rd. intersection to 484 Morse Rd. 4530 West Dalhousie Rd. to 6186 West Dalhousie Rd. 2648 Thorne Rd. to 3408 Thorne Rd. 122, 126, 126 (Unit 2) Medicraft Lane.

Resources on the ground Sunday included two contracted helicopters, 57 Department of Natural Resources staff, five firefighters from P.E.I., and 84 volunteer firefighters.

In addition, a 20-member DNR crew recently returned from New Brunswick, along with another 20 firefighters from Ontario are on the scene. 

Four water-skimmer aircraft from the Northwest Territories are active as of Sunday afternoon. They were supposed to help on Saturday, but they were “still preparing,” according to a social media post by the DNR. 

Long Lake wildfire still out of control and has grown to estimated 1101 hectares. Wind has shifted, fire moving back towards West Dalhousie Road area. Sprinklers on all homes, other protection measures in place. More evacuations possible. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/Wkac2C9m9V

@NS_DNR

‘Hot, tiring, hard work’ for firefighters

Rudderham said the firefighters’ morale is a mix of “happiness and sadness” as they take on this “hot, tiring, hard work.” 

“I think a lot of them are proud to do the work they’re doing,” he said. “They’re going to soldier on and do the work that needs to be done.”

He said Friday’s helicopter accident at the fire scene is weighing on the group. He said the pilot, who was found conscious and taken for medical attention after his helicopter went into a shallow lake, is a friend of many of the firefighters.

There are 15 wildfires in the province. Long Lake, which started on Wednesday, is the only one listed as out of control.

Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection with the Department of Natural Resources, said rain in the forecast for Sunday would be appreciated but won’t be nearly enough.

Smoke from a wildfire is shown.

The wildfire burning near West Dalhousie, N.S., is shown on Friday. It has nearly tripled in size over the weekend, topping 1,100 hectares. (Jeorg Sadi/CBC)

Smoke around the province

Meanwhile, many Nova Scotians woke up to heavy smoke, prompting some fire departments in the province to urge residents to remain calm.

“This morning with the cooler temperatures, the cold air actually pushed the smoke down to the ground and into the [Annapolis Valley],” said Chad Schrader, deputy chief for the Wolfville Fire Department. “The smoke was quite bad to the point where people thought there was a closer wildfire burning.”

In a social media post, the fire department says if smoke appears widespread or hazy throughout the area rather than forming a distinct column, it is likely drifting in from ongoing fires and does not require an emergency call.

Emergency calls should be made if there is a clear column of smoke, visible flames, or a concentrated area of heavy smoke that appears local, it says.

The department says residents should call if smoke is coming directly from a building, vehicle or nearby wooded area, or if they believe there may be an immediate fire threat.

Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index forecasts a low risk around the province, but notes the possibility of moderate risk in some areas due to the smoke.