Strong winds fuel the Long Lake wildfire in Annapolis County, N.S., forcing expanded evacuation orders as crews battle a 3,200-hectare blaze.
Evacuation Zones Widen as Fire Grows
The Long Lake wildfire in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, prompted two evacuation order expansions on Sunday, displacing more families as the blaze spread rapidly under extreme weather conditions. Emergency alerts were issued in the afternoon and evening, covering Highway 10 near Trout, Zwicker and East lakes, Old Liverpool Road, Che-Boag-A-Nish Road, and West Dalhousie Road in Albany Cross.
Impact on Residents
More than 100 homes had already been evacuated since August 14, affecting about 215 people. Sunday’s expansion added households on Morse Road between civic numbers 571 and 1073, as well as Thorne Road between civic numbers 4272 and 4291. New evacuees were instructed to register at the emergency reception centre at Bridgetown Fire Hall.
Firefighting Challenges
Officials say deteriorating conditions are hampering firefighting efforts. “Everything in fire behaviour you don’t want happening is happening today,” said Jim Rudderham, director of fleet and forest protection with the Department of Natural Resources. High winds, soaring temperatures, and low humidity continue to drive the flames out of control.
Scale of the Wildfire
As of Sunday, the wildfire had consumed approximately 3,255 hectares, or more than 32 square kilometres. Smoke has prevented an updated measurement, but crews confirmed the fire crossed multiple roads, including West Dalhousie and Thorne, and reached as far as Paradise Lake. The command post was relocated to Bridgetown on Saturday as a safety precaution.
Emergency Response Measures
Authorities are deploying sprinklers to protect homes, structures, and nearby forests. Nova Scotia Power also warned of potential electricity shut-offs on Morse Road to ensure first responders can safely access the area. The Department of Emergency Management continues to coordinate evacuation logistics and mitigation strategies.
Weather Conditions and Outlook
Environment Canada reported wind gusts of up to 40 km/h on Sunday and issued an air quality warning for Annapolis County, cautioning residents about reduced air quality from smoke. While rain is in the forecast for Monday, officials stress that sustained precipitation will be necessary to significantly slow the fire’s growth.
Natural Resources confirmed that the next official update on the wildfire will be released Monday morning.
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