Mooseland Road wildfire continues to be held, road closure reduced

Many Nova Scotia residents forced to evacuate by the Mooseland Road wildfire have returned home.

A wildfire burning on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore continues to be held Monday.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced on Sunday the Mooseland Road wildfire was being held at 1,447 hectares.

A mandatory evacuation order put in place by Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) was also lifted.

The order affected people in about 100 homes, cottages and cabins.

“We saw the smoke, I mean, way up in the air,” said Norm Blaquiere, a Mooseland Road resident. “And it was kind of scary. It was about seven kilometres from this area.”

DNR says the fire continues to be held and has not grown.

“Ground crews will continue fire suppression efforts throughout the day. Heavy equipment is also onsite,” the department said in a social media update.

“Two Department of Natural Resources helicopters will be on site to assist with transportation and aerial surveillance. Fixed-wing aircraft are available but are not anticipated to be needed.”

The road closure on Mooseland Road has also been reduced.

The closure is now between civic addresses 2124 and 2890.

Officials are asking people to avoid the area and stay clear of emergency crews.

The wildfire in the Jacket Lake area was first reported at 7 p.m. Wednesday and rapidly grew over the next few days. Wet weather over the weekend was expected to help with conditions.

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.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Stephanie Tsicos and Jesse Thomas

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