Nova Scotia wildfire burning out of control in unseasonably hot weather
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
AYLESFORD – Unseasonably warm temperatures proved challenging Monday as the fight against an out-of-control wildfire in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley entered its second week.
The Department of Natural Resources estimated that the fire at Lake George had grown slightly in 24 hours to just over 2.8 square kilometres, mainly because of dry and windy conditions.
Monday’s forecast for the area near Aylesford, N.S., called for a high of 28 C — the average daily high in the region for October is normally below 15 C.
“I can’t believe it — in October we normally get frost and cold,” Dave Corkum, mayor of the Municipality of the County of Kings, said in an interview. “There is some rain in the forecast in a few days and hopefully we will get it.”
Despite the conditions, Corkum said there are no reports of damage to structures in the area around Lake George and the west side of Aylesford Lake. Officials said the fire is burning deep in the ground and crews were working to protect homes, cottages and other structures.
Ninety-seven firefighters were at the scene, including 39 from British Columbia, along with six airplanes, six helicopters and 18 pieces of heavy equipment. The fire broke out on Sept. 28 and at one point officials classified it as being held, before high winds quickly led to the fire growing out of control again.
Dan Stovel, an emergency measures official with the municipality, said 353 civic addresses have been evacuated to date, including around 79 permanent addresses. “There have been no additional evacuation alerts or orders,” Stovel said in an interview, adding that winds are expected to push fire activity in a more favourable northeasterly direction over the next day or so.
“It’s back over burned ground so we will have to see how that goes,” Stovel said.
Meanwhile, Corkum said 391 people from 205 households have registered with the Canadian Red Cross at a shelter in New Minas, N.S., although only three people are staying at the facility. “Most of the people are staying in motels or with family and friends,” the mayor said.
Corkum said officials have also been warning people to “stay the heck out of the evacuation areas.”
“Unfortunately we’ve got to keep reminding people to stay out of the woods, stop lighting fires and stop travelling to get close and have a look,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 6, 2025.