Posted:
Notification
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (NSDNR) has estimated that the area of the Susies Lake wildfire is 25 to 30 hectares and is out of control but progress is being made.
The fire is not expected to grow overnight. However, NSDNR personnel will remain on site for fire suppression and assessment.
Most Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) personnel have departed the scene and will return early tomorrow morning to assess the state of the fire and resume firefighting efforts, as needed. In the meantime, two engines and crews will remain in the area overnight to support NSDNR.
At this time, there is still no threat to residents and structures.
Halifax Regional Police (HRP) traffic advisory
Given the situation, the following roads will remain closed overnight and HRP officers will remain in the area:
- Chain Lake Drive, between the off-ramp for Highway 102 and Julius Boulevard (inbound lane only)
- Julius Boulevard
- Susie Lake Crescent between Julius Boulevard and Hobsons Lake Drive
People are asked to avoid unnecessary travel into the Bayers Lake area, until advised otherwise, as reducing traffic congestion will help emergency crews respond to the fire.
No mandatory evacuations
Residents are reminded that there are no mandatory evacuations at this time. However, everyone is encouraged to follow official municipal and provincial government social media channels for the latest information on the status of the wildfire so that they can be prepared in the event the situation changes. As always, in the event of an evacuation, in addition to public service announcements, mass notification systems (i.e. hfxALERT and Alert Ready) will be used to issue alerts.
Drones are prohibited
Residents are reminded that the operation of a drone within 9.3 km of the wildfire is prohibited as it will impede firefighting operations. If unauthorized drones are present in the area, firefighting aircraft must be grounded and crews will have to suspend operations, putting residents and communities at risk.
Anyone found in contravention of this could be subject to fines and/or jail time.
Additional information and guidance
Local residents affected by smoke are advised to shelter in place, stay inside and turn off air exchangers. There are currently no evacuations of residential properties in the area.
Additional information will be provided as it becomes available and shared via Bluesky at @hfxgov.bsky.social, Facebook at @hfxgov and Instagram at @hfxmoments.
Residents are encouraged to register for hfxALERT, the municipality’s mass notification system to receive urgent and non-urgent public alerts by phone, email or text.