Halifax Deputy Fire Chief David Meldrum says an estimated 14,000 people were forced to flee their homes after a rapidly spreading fire broke out yesterday northwest of the city.
Dozens of homes have been engulfed.
Newfoundland and Labrador has sent two waterbombers to our Atlantic cousins, and Premier Andrew Furey tweeted that his thoughts are with Nova Scotians.
Our thoughts are with our Atlantic cousins as they deal with these forest fires. Newfoundland and Labrador water bombers are there, and I spoke with Premier @TimHoustonNS this morning to let him know we will be there to support however we can. Stay safe, Nova Scotia!
— Premier of NL (@PremierofNL) May 29, 2023
Fed by strong winds and tinder-dry woods, the wildfires sprang up quickly yesterday, giving people little warning of what was coming.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage has invoked a state of emergency.
Deputy Chief Meldrum says it is burning out of control.
Jim Abraham, President of the Meteorological and Oceanographic Congress, which is meeting in St. John’s today, lives in Halifax and says the temperature dropped to single digits overnight but the cool temperatures won’t last long.
The forecast is calling for temperatures in the twenties, maybe even thirties, for most of the week with possibly showers on Friday.
As I head from @nbfirechiefs conference and flight home from Halifax airport. I am proud to see our @FAA_GovNL water bombers 286 and 287 being readied for action today with @hfxfire. They were airborne when I got to my gate. Stay safe everyone. Proud of you all. pic.twitter.com/9BKzVcoBEi
— Vince MacKenzie (@FirechiefVince) May 29, 2023
