Thousands have spent another night in emergency shelter as an unprecedented string of wildfires continues to burn out of control in the province.

Fire officials were hoping for a break in the dry, windy weather yesterday, but the forecast doesn’t call for rain until Friday night.

As of yesterday, three wildfires burning out of control in the province have forced about 21-thousand people from their homes by mandatory evacuation orders.

Fire officials in the Halifax area say 200 structures, including 151 homes, have been destroyed by a fire that started Sunday in Tantallon.

 

 

Fire officials say a fire burning in Shelburne County is one of the largest wildfires ever recorded in the province.

The fire has forced about five-thousand people from their homes.

Officials say it covered almost 200 square kilometres yesterday.

A much smaller fire is also burning out of control about 30 kilometres away in East Pubnico.

 

 

A reminder from the Town of New Glasgow regarding the province-wide ban on open fires, which applies to backyard campfires, brush burning, and fireworks. Under the Fires and Burning of Materials bylaw, anyone violating the bylaw can face a fine of $100 to $10,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months.

 

 

The Town of New Glasgow is raising the issue of trail safety in light of the dry weather and fires happening across the province.

At this time, the municipal trails in the Town remain open.

The Town reminds all residents to use the trails safely, meaning always staying on the trail path and being more diligent than ever regarding the Smoking Bylaw and the Fires and Burning of Materials Bylaw — there is NO smoking or burning allowed on municipal trails and public spaces.

 

 

Environment Canada meteorologists are warning Nova Scotians of poor air quality as wildfires rage in the province.

Bob Robichaud says the current weather forecast means air quality will likely be a problem over the next few days.

He says the worst times will be at night and early morning when clear skies and cooler temperatures keep smoke closer to the ground.

The weather agency has issued a series of special air quality statements for areas around Halifax and in Shelburne County — where the largest fire is burning.

 

 

The federal public safety minister has appointed a retired appeals court justice to head a committee to oversee the changes recommended by the public inquiry into the April 2020 mass shootings in Nova Scotia.

Marco Mendicino says Linda Lee Oland will help the government to take a “hard look” at the 130 recommendations made by the Mass Casualty Commission.

The commission found widespread failures in how the R-C-M-P responded to the shootings and the way the force communicated with the public during and after the killings.

Its final report was released in March, and it said the federal government should review the R-C-M-P’s role in local policing and the way Mounties are trained.

 

 

The summer forecast for Atlantic Canada is in.

The Weather Network released its predictions Wednesday, saying the region will likely enjoy a seasonal summer with southern parts tipping into slightly warmer-than-normal temperatures and milder nights.

It says a mix of dry weather and storms should bring near normal or above normal rainfall.

Hurricane season is expected to be less active, but there’s risk of a significant tropical system or two.