Thousands in Nova Scotia have spent another night in emergency shelter as an unprecedented string of wildfires continues to burn out of control in that province. Fire officials were hoping for a break in the dry, windy weather yesterday, but the forecast doesn’t call for rain until Friday night. As of yesterday, three wildfires burning out of control in Nova Scoria have forced about 21-thousand people from their homes by mandatory evacuation orders. Fire officials in the Halifax area say 200 structures, including 151 homes, have been destroyed by a fire that started Sunday in a suburb northwest of downtown Halifax.
Fire officials say a fire burning in Shelburne County is one of the largest wildfires ever recorded in the province. The fire has forced about five-thousand people from their homes. Officials say it covered almost 200 square kilometres yesterday. A much smaller fire is also burning out of control about 30 kilometres away in East Pubnico.
Environment Canada meteorologists are warning Nova Scotians of poor air quality as wildfires rage in the province. Bob Robichaud says the current weather forecast means air quality will likely be a problem over the next few days. He says the worst times will be at night and early morning when clear skies and cooler temperatures keep smoke closer to the ground. The weather agency has issued a series of special air quality statements for areas around Halifax and in Shelburne County — where the largest fire is burning.
