HALIFAX, Canada~ After a wildfire on Canada’s Atlantic coast destroyed 200 properties and forced 16,000 people to evacuate, Nova Scotia’s leader urged residents to keep out of the woods and avoid activities that could ignite further fires. “It’s vast. After touring the catastrophe region, Premier Tim Houston banned woods activity. Residents wanted to return Tuesday to check on houses and pets, but fire officials worried that dry, windy weather could spark a “reburn” in evacuated communities. Wednesday is expected to be warm and rainless until Friday. Houston said all forest travel and activity is banned. He stated it includes all forestry, mining, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, off-road vehicle driving, and commercial activity on government grounds.
Stop burning. Nova Scotia bans burning. Conservation officers reported six unauthorized burns last night. Three out-of-control fires, eight yesterday, 12 on Sunday—this is outrageous. Burn Not! Tuesday’s Houston. “We must prevent new fires.” The province’s wildfire management group’s forest protection manager, Scott Tingley, said all three fires were “very likely human-caused.” “Most of it is preventable. Tingley stated, “Accidents happen, so we appreciate the premier’s message.”
Halifax Deputy incident Chief David Meldrum said firefighters are extinguishing hotspots in the Sunday incident. He stated Tuesday that it was too early to tally damaged or destroyed residences, but the municipal authority estimated 200. Dan Cavanaugh was one of two dozen individuals waiting Tuesday in a Halifax parking lot to discover if their suburban homes had burned.
Halifax Deputy incident Chief David Meldrum said firefighters are extinguishing hotspots in the Sunday incident. He stated Tuesday that it was too early to tally damaged or destroyed residences, but the municipal authority estimated 200. Dan Cavanaugh was one of two dozen individuals waiting Tuesday in a Halifax parking lot to discover if their suburban homes had burned. “We’re like everyone else in this lot,” claimed the 48-year-old insurance adjuster. “We may not have a house.”
Police called residents to see their premises. Sarah Lyon of the Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said an eight-person team would enter the evacuation zone to rescue animals. About 16,000 people were warned to leave their houses northwest of Halifax, most of which were within 30 minutes of downtown. Mandatory evacuation encompasses 100 square kilometers (38 miles).
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