N.S. wildfire evacuees in Kings County being allowed home

Residents displaced because of a wildfire in Kings County are allowed to go home on Thursday.

Officials say the status of the Lake George wildfire has been changed from out of control to being held, meaning it’s not likely to grow or move as long as conditions don’t change.

The fire began in late September and led to an evacuation order covering about 350 civic addresses near Aylesford, N.S.

Re-entry is being done in a phased approach between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with checkpoints and barricades in place allowing residents in but not the general public.

The Lake George fire is estimated to be just under three square kilometres in size. A local state of emergency remains in place in the area.

Jim Rudderham, director of fleet and forest protection with DNR, said officials are “confident” the blaze was ignited by a person.

“Our conservation officers visited the area before activity picked up, but there was not enough evidence to determine the exact cause,” he said at a press conference last week. “It is quite frustrating for us when this happens, but it happens quite often that we can’t hold anyone to account.”

The veteran official also made comments about how he has never experienced a wildfire going into October.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2025.