Thousands evacuated from homes by wildfire in area of Tantallon, Nova Scotia

A rapidly spreading wildfire, fed by strong winds and tinder-dry woods, has damaged or destroyed dozens of homes and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents northwest of Halifax. Residents fled from the Tantallon area amid thick plumes of smoke Sunday afternoon after the R-C-M-P issued an emergency alert and over the next six hours, another three alerts called for more evacuations as the fire grew.  Halifax Fire district chief Rob Febb had said the wildfire was still out of control by 10 p-m, though there were no reports of injuries.  At 11 p-m, Halifax mayor Mike Savage declared a local state of emergency for the next seven days, saying the move will give the municipality access to emergency funds.