Mooseland Road, N.S., wildfire grows to 1,700 hectares, remains out of control

The area affected by the Mooseland Road wildfire in Nova Scotia is pictured from above. (Courtesy of the N.S. DNR)

A wildfire on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore that prompted an evacuation order has seen “significant growth,” according to Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The fire on Mooseland Road has jumped from 300 hectares to 1,700 hectares, according to an update from DNR on Friday.

“Just the speed of the fire yesterday, I would suspect there will be areas where it will burn deep, but not like late summer drought deep,” Jim Rudderham, DNR director of fleet and forest protection, told reporters on Friday.

He noted the cause of the fire is currently unknown, but there have been more lightning starts lately.

The Jacket Lake area wildfire was first reported at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. As of 11:35 a.m. on Friday, the fire remains out of control.

Mooseland Road is closed to traffic beginning at the intersection of Highway 7, and people are being told to avoid the area.

Public safety officials issued an evacuation order for civic address 4315 Mooseland Rd. down to Highway 7 at 8 p.m. on Thursday, the order is still in place.

“Evacuate right away,” the alert reads. “Follow designated evacuation routes and the direction of local authorities.

“Do not delay.”

Evacuees can register at evacuation centres at Musquodoboit Rural High at 11980 Highway 224 and at the Marine Drive Academy in Sheet Harbour at 479 Church Point Rd.

DNR says two helicopters and four fixed-wing water bombers are on site. Two additional fixed-wing water bombers from Newfoundland are working on the fire as well.

Tory Rushton, minister of natural resources, says crews are working hard to manage the fire.

“So far this year, about 100 wildfires have been recorded across the province,” he says in a news release on Friday. “That’s more than double the number we had at this time last year. While our crews are managing current wildfire activity, conditions are becoming drier, and the risk is increasing.”

He says most wildfires are caused by people, and reminds Nova Scotians how to prevent the fires.

“Please check the BurnSafe map every day, follow the restrictions in your area, and be careful when having a fire or disposing of cigarettes,” he advises.

During wildfire season, domestic brush burning and campfires are prohibited between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. The fine for not following daily burn restrictions is $25,000.

Provincial officials will provide an update on the wildfire situation in Nova Scotia at 2 p.m. CTV Atlantic will livestream the event.

With files from The Canadian Press

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