HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s largest wildfire has damaged a number of homes in the Long Lake area of the Annapolis Valley.
In a news release Monday, the provincial government said the exact number of damaged homes in the West Dalhousie area is unconfirmed.
“My heart goes out to people evacuated from the West Dalhousie area who are worried about their homes,” Premier Tim Houston said in the news release. “Our firefighters and aircraft are doing everything they can to limit damage. Unfortunately, the tinder-dry conditions are making it extremely difficult to fight this wildfire.”
Burning since Aug. 13, the wildfire is classified as out of control and has grown to more than 77 square kilometres.
Firefighters battled high winds and dry conditions over the weekend, both of which helped push the flames toward populated areas near Long Lake. Some rainfall was expected on Monday, although officials cautioned it likely wouldn’t be enough to make a difference.
Late Sunday, people living along a portion of Highway 10 in the West Dalhousie area were told to leave their homes. Earlier in the day residents on parts of Morse Road and Thorne Road were also told to flee. Before the weekend more than 100 homes had already been evacuated in the area.
The Municipality of the County of Annapolis confirmed Monday that 500 civic addresses were under evacuation orders, although not all of those are homes. Evacuees have been directed to check in at a reception centre at the Nova Scotia Community College campus in Middleton, N.S.
Environment Canada has issued an air quality warning for Annapolis County, saying, "smoke from wildfires will significantly reduce local air quality."
Meanwhile, in Newfoundland and Labrador, a wildfire in Kingston, along the northeastern shore of Conception Bay, was burning on Monday at a “declined” level of intensity, officials said. However, the smoky blaze, which has burned over 100 square kilometres, is still classified as out of control.
A dozen firefighters from the province were dealing with hot spots with assistance from 42 firefighters from British Columbia and 20 from Ontario. Water-bombing helicopters were also on scene.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2025.
The Canadian Press
