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UPDATE: Local state of emergency issued by Shelburne County as forest fire continues to burn

Yarmouth, NS, Canada / Y95.5
News
May 27, 2023 | 8:50 PM
UPDATE: Local state of emergency issued by Shelburne County as forest fire continues to burn


UPDATE 2:30 p.m:

DNR Manager of Forest Protection Scott Tingley confirmed early Monday afternoon that the department has requested assistance from firefighters elsewhere in Canada and in the United States as the province continues to deal with the ongoing wildfires in Tantallon and Shelburne County.

Warden Penny Smith and Council have declared a Local State of Emergency in the communities affected by the wildfires.
Under the Emergency Management Act, declaring a local state of emergency is a legal mechanism that provides the Municipal government with a higher level of intergovernmental coordination, access to emergency discretionary funds and the ability to mobilize additional supports, organizations and businesses to support evacuated residents.
The fire began around Barrington Lake area, heading east and crossing the Clyde River in close proximity to Highway 103. Thereafter, the fire headed east, south of Beaverdam Lake and is now approaching the west shore of Dexter’s Lake, in close proximity to Shore Road in the community of Roseway.
It is now more than 9,000 hectares and over 80 firefighters are working on the situation.
Priority is currently directed on evacuating residents from Shore Road, stretching from Clyde River around the entire perimeter of Shore Road through to Birchtown.
If you have been asked to evacuate in the above area, please call the Shelburne Municipal Office at 902-875-3544 Ext 245 to let us know you are safe and out of the fire zone. Should you require assistance for evacuation, please call 902-875-8407. Calling 911 is still only to be used for emergency purposes, not for assistance for evacuation.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m:

The fire is now estimated at over 3,000 hectares.
It is now travelling in a southwest direction and due to the dry and windy conditions, further mandatory evacuations have been ordered. The evacuation areas are the following:
  •  Along Highway 309 from Port Clyde to the intersection of Oak Park Road and Highway 3 in Barrington West.
  •  Along Highway 103 from Exit 28 in Clyde River to Exit 30 in Riverhead.
A registration/reception centre has been setup at the Sandy Wickens Memorial Arena (12 Park Lane, Barrington) and those displaced are strongly encouraged to register by visiting the centre or calling 902-637-7899.

UPDATE: 11:15 a.m:

An out of control forest fire has forced some in Shelburne County from their homes.

Mandatory evacuations are in place from Port Clyde to Birchtown, as well as Barrington Lake and Goose Lake areas.

A local state of emergency is also in place for the Municipality of Shelburne.

Officials ask residents concerned about the status of their property to be patient as they navigate responder priorities to keep people safe.

The fire that began around Barrington Lake over the weekend grew to nearly 2,300 hectares last night.

Dozens of DNRR and local firefighters are on scene.

Two helicopters and six air-tankers from New Brunswick will resume their efforts this morning.

UPDATE: 11 a.m:

It’s a trying time in Shelburne County, as firefighters work to save structures.

Many in the Municipality of Barrington are concerned about their homes and belongings.

Warden Eddie Nickerson says the community is stepping up.

“Providing resources like food and water and those types of thing. It’s as usual, we have a great community and everyone helps out when they can,” said Nickerson.

The Barrington comfort centre is at the municipal building, the arena is also available if needed.

Nickerson says he’s sure there will be losses of property, but firefighters are working hard to minimize it.

UPDATE: 9 a.m.:

You’ll need to get on Highway 101 if you’re going to the city.

Because of the forest fire, Shelburne RCMP have blocked Highway 103 between Exits 27 in Birchtown and 29 in Barrington.

A mandatory evacuation order is in place from Port Clyde to Birchtown, so the Shore Road is also closed.

Staff Sgt. Mark MacPherson says people can get out of the area, but they can’t get back in.

“We have to maintain that evacuation zone for people’s safety, and to make sure nobody goes back into these areas and puts themselves at risk,” said Sgt. MacPherson.

He says air quality conditions are bad in the area, and the fire has jumped the highway in some places.

Comfort centres are set up at the Shelburne Fire Hall and Barrington municipal building.

UPDATE: 10:15 p.m:

The Barrington/Clark’s Harbour Emergency Management Office says most of the fire crews have backed out of the woods for the night. Air assistance has been grounded until sunrise. Operations will continue outside the woods through the night.

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A large wildfire in Shelburne County is forcing evacuations and has closed a section of Highway 103 (between exits 27 in Birchtown to 29 in Barrington).

The fire is about 2,300 hectares.

More than 80 firefighters in total are working on the situation and trying to contain the blaze.

There are two choppers on the scene and six air tankers from New Brunswick have been called in.

RCMP and volunteer fire fighters are helping with evacuations for the Clyde River.

The evacuation areas are the following:

– Barrington Lake area

– Goose Lake area

– Along the Upper Clyde Road from Highway 103 to 750 Upper Clyde Road.

– Along the Quinns Road from Highway 103 to 693 Quinns Road.

– Along Highway 103 from Browns Pit Road to 10341 Highway 103 (Anchors Away).

– Port Clyde Road from Highway 103 until 642 Port Clyde Road (the iron bridge) and along Highway 103 up to Clinton Road.

A registration/reception centre has been setup by the Red Cross in the multipurpose room of the Administration Centre in Barrington and the emergency management office is asking evacuated residents to register with them before going elsewhere. This is to make sure people are accounted for and are safe.

Photo of smokey conditions outside a home in Port Clyde

Meantime, Nova Scotia Power was force to cut power to about 4,000 in the impacted area for safety reasons.

If any residents have questions or concerns, they can contact the EMO Coordinator at 902-637-7324.

Meantime, a burn ban remains in place for most of Nova Scotia, except for eastern sections and Cape Breton.

This mean you cannot have campfires at provincial parks in southwestern Nova Scotia due to extremely hot and windy conditions.

Some Schools Closed:

The Tri-County Regional Centre for Education says Barrington Municipal High School, Shelburne Regional High School, Forest Ridge Academy and Hillcrest Academy will be closed Monday because of the fire.

Students at Clark’s Harbour Elementary and Evelyn Richardson were dismissed early Monday morning because of smoke and air quality conditions.