Firefighters facing ‘challenging’ conditions battling Kings County blaze

A wildfire that broke out early this week is proving to be a difficult task for crews who have been on site since Monday afternoon.

According to a Thursday morning update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Lake George wildfire is out of control and is estimated to be about 245 hectares in size based on a more accurate measurement.

Thursday’s conditions, according to the update, are “challenging” because of the wind.

Drought is something officials have been warning about all summer, and it has also not been helpful to firefighters taming flames. It is the reason wildfires burn deep into the ground and create difficult and dangerous situations for crews.

This past week, Jim Rudderham, director of fleet and forest protection with DNR, said he has never experienced a wildfire going into October. These factors likely aided the province in deciding to extend wildfire season to the end of October.

The extensions mean daily burn restrictions from the provincial government will remain in place until the end of the month, as will the full burn ban still in effect for Annapolis County.

The blaze has forced hundreds from their homes and created a tense situation for communities south of Morristown, N.S.

The following are being asked to leave the area immediately:

• Aylesford Rd from (and including) Fox Mountain Campground to Civic 3847 Aylesford Rd
• All civics on Spruce Dr, Birch Lane and Blue Lane
• All civics between 5 North River Rd to 1493 North River Rd

Dan Stovel with the Municipality of the County of Kings said 353 civic addresses have been evacuated to date, including around 79 permanent addresses.

Stovel noted there have been no reports of damage to any structures.

He says about 145 people have registered with the Canadian Red Cross at a shelter in New Minas, N.S., although only two people stayed overnight.

With files from The Canadian Press.