A provincial firefighter says a large fire burning near a remote lake in southwestern Nova Scotia may have been caused by human activity as two helicopters continued to drop water on the flames.
Kara McCurdy, a forest fire prevention officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources, said on Tuesday morning that one of the pilots estimated the fire near Lake South Horseshoe in eastern Yarmouth County at about 25 hectares.
McCurdy said the fire broke out Monday afternoon, and because the area is so remote, the DNR brought a helicopter from Shubenakadi to central Nova Scotia to launch water on the flames.
“Today, due to the weather, we are worried about the low humidity and the strong winds that will lift, so we sent an additional helicopter,” she said.
There are two DNR crews from Shelburn and Yarmouth helping – 12 staff and two pilots.
McCurdy said he suspected the fire was man-made because there had been no recent lightning.
A DNR pilot estimated the fire at about 25 hectares on Tuesday. (Tim Dusset / Facebook)
She said that although the fire was believed to be “out of control” and “moving fast”, no homes or businesses were currently at risk.
“We are just asking residents to really respect the burning limits, which are published daily, not in the morning,” she said.
“Make sure you register every day at 2 o’clock to see if you are allowed to burn. Even if you’re allowed to burn and it’s windy, be careful where you have a pile of brushes or a campfire… because it’s super dry right now. ”
Chief of Fire
Aaron Pottier, fire chief for the Quinan fire department, said Tuesday that because the fire was in a remote area, his department had not yet been called in to help fight the blaze.
Environment Canada warns of increased levels of pollution for those under the wind from the fire. (Tim Dusset / Facebook)
Potie said there was a lot of smoke in the air in his community, about 20 kilometers south of the fire.
“At times it was thick, depending on where the wind was blowing, and at times it went down to the ground a little more. So, there was a lot of smoke around dinner and around the community yesterday afternoon, “he said.
“The more the wind blows, the higher it seems to rise. This morning it comes and goes again. There’s a little smoke fog around, but it comes and goes and there’s definitely a smell of smoke in the air.”
DNR said on Tuesday that the fire was in a remote area and there is currently no risk to homes or businesses. (Tim Dusset / Facebook)
Air quality warnings
Environment Canada warns of increased levels of pollution. According to the National Meteorological Service, satellite images on Monday night showed the fire was located about 40 kilometers northeast of Yarmouth. The plume of smoke lingered north of Yarmouth, but it could also affect air quality near the Beaver River and Port Maitland.
The fire is in a remote area of Yarmouth, full of conifers and swamps. (Department of Natural Resources)
“People may experience symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, headache or shortness of breath. Children, the elderly and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are at particular risk,” said a statement from Environment Canada.
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