More evacuations lifted in Annapolis County as wildfire considered held

Officials say the huge wildfire in the Annapolis Valley is now considered “being held,” meaning it is no longer out of control.

“That means the fire is not likely to grow or move as long as conditions don’t change,” explained Jim Rudderham with Natural Resources. “It is still not under control and could grow if conditions were to worsen again. But with all the work that’s been taking place and all the containment lines in place and holding, it has been changed to being held.”

Rudderham says hard work by crews and some rain in the area on Sunday helped firefighters get a handle on the Long Lake wildfire.

The fire remains around 84 square kilometres in size.

In the meantime, officials say more people evacuated because of the wildfire will be able to return home this week.

An NS Alert issued by Annapolis County on Monday afternoon says evacuations are being lifted for 484-1073 Morse Rd., 4272 and 4291 Thorne Rd. and 49, 77 and 321 Neaves Rd.

The alert says a partial re-entry for civic addresses specified in the alert will happen on Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m.

Evacuations remain in place for more than 100 civic addresses in the area, including along West Dalhousie Road.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An email alert incorrectly stated the fire was “under control” when Natural Resources actually considers the blaze as “being held”, meaning not likely to grow.