There has been no major change in the Long Lake wildfire through Tuesday afternoon, according to a 2 p.m. update from the Department of Natural Resources.
They say the fire is still about 3210 hectares. DNR said it was about that size in the early afternoon on Monday, after revaluating the size of the fire on Monday morning.
Overall, 93 DNR firefighters, as well as 22 from Ontario and 25 local ones are on the scene. The four places from the Northwest Territories are working on the fire, along with 1 contracted helicopter.
Scott Tingley, forest protection manager with DNR, says the wind was pushing the fire back into itself.
But that will change with the incoming hurricane Erin.
“We’re anticipating wind shifts really daily until this storm passes,” said Tingley.
“It’s going to be coming from all directions.”
No homes have been damaged from the fire.
DNR says they have sprinklers wetting the area around homes and the buildings themselves.
The Evacuation and Reception Centre and Shelter at the NSCC Annapolis Valley Campus in Middleton will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Evacuees can get meals at the centre and use showers, and laundry facilities. It also is a supply pick-up location.
Registering helps emergency responders account for everyone’s safety and determine if they need overnight accommodations, says Warden Diane LeBlanc.
“Your cooperation helps us coordinate resources and keep our community safe,” says LeBlanc.
Overnight accommodations are available 24/7, and if anyone needs help after hours, they can call 1-800-222-9597 to talk to the Red Cross.
For public information related to the wildfire and evacuation supports, reach out to 1-833-806-1515. That number is monitored from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Simonds Lake fire under control
Five firefighters from P.E.I. were redeployed to the Simonds Lake fire to help put it out. As of last night, DNR said the fire was under control at about 1.75 hectares.
They say it started as a structure fire and then spread into the woods.
