Bridgetown Reader

09/27/2025

The Long Lake wildfires complex is now under control. This is a key milestone in any wildfire. Under control means the fire is responding well to suppression efforts. It is not expected to grow, but it is still not extinguished. Having reached this milestone, this is our last regular update. We will post updates on developments.

We extend immense thanks to DNR firefighters, incident management team and other staff, and all the local fire depts, crews from other provinces, the County of Annapolis and all the other agencies that are helping with this unprecedented effort.

Infrared scanning will continue to detect hot spots. Crews walk through the active fire zone, smelling for smoke and feeling the ground for heat with their hands. They dig and douse with water to put the hot spots out.

Typically crews continue working until a wildfire is extinguished. In the case of Long Lake, winter conditions may arrive before the fire can be declared fully extinguished. If that happens, the fire won’t be a threat during the winter and monitoring will continue until firefighting can resume in the spring.

The size estimate is still 8,468 hectares. This is the current estimate of the perimeter, with multiple fires inside this active wildfire zone. This number won’t change unless a more precise measurement is made.

09/27/2025

With conditions improving, the ban on open fires is lifted in all counties except Annapolis, as of 8 p.m. today, September 26.

The ban will remain in place in Annapolis County until the end of wildfire season due to the ongoing Long Lake wildfire. The daily burn restrictions – and the continued ban in Annapolis County – apply to open fires such as campfires, bonfires, brush fires, fires in chimeneas and any other fire that is not enclosed and uses wood as the fuel. Unlike gas or charcoal fires, sparks could escape from an open wood fire and cause a wildfire.

The restrictions do not apply to non-woodburning devices like charcoal and gas barbeques and gas stoves, which can be used following manufacturer’s instructions.

The Province’s BurnSafe map will be red from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. because burning is never permitted during those hours; the daily restrictions will be posted at 2 p.m. to show what is and is not allowed for the rest of the day. The usual end of wildfire season is October 15.

https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/

09/25/2025

The Reader Issue 38; September 26, 2025 You ca also view this week's issue of The Reader on our website https://bridgetownreader.news/2025/09/25/the-reader-issue-38-september-26-2025/

09/23/2025

09/21/2025

14:43: Fire crews remain on site following a small forest fire off Camel Hill Road in Falkland Ridge, Annapolis County, this afternoon.

Firefighters from Annapolis and Lunenburg counties, along with staff from the Department of Natural Resources, are present.

The situation is under control, and personnel are working to ensure the fire is fully extinguished.

09/21/2025

The Long Lake wildfires complex is being held at an estimated 8468 hectares. No new reports of damage. Smoky conditions continue in the Annapolis County area. Infrared camera scans continue to show good progress but also show sizeable hot spots that will take time to put out.

Barricades are in place around the active wildfire zone. Resources available today include 3 helicopters, 4 planes and a bird dog, 5 pieces of heavy equipment and 5 water tankers. Firefighters on site: 16 DNR, 18 Quebec, 20 Parks Canada, 5 PEI, plus support staff.

09/20/2025

The Long Lake wildfires complex is being held at an estimated 8468 hectares. No new reports of damage. All remaining evacuees can return home today, although roads in the area are not open to the general public because it is still active wildfire zone.

High winds and dry conditions today; crews will work on taking care of hazard trees. Aeiral infrared scans used to show hot spots which ground crews are targeting.

Resources available: 3 helicopters, 4 planes/bird dog, 5 pieces of heavy equipment, 5 water tankers. 23 DNR, 18 Quebec, 20 Parks Canada, 5 PEI firefighters, plus support staff.

09/19/2025

LONG LAKE WILDFIRES COMPLEX, ANNAPOLIS COUNTY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2:40 PM

The Long Lake wildfires complex is being held at an estimated 8,468 hectares. There are no new reports of damage. All remaining evacuees will be able to return home on Saturday, September 20 although their roads will not be open to the general public because it is still an active wildfire zone.

Crews continue working on the fire and infrared scans show impressive progress despite dry conditions. Resources available: three helicopters, four planes and a bird dog, five pieces of heavy equipment, and seven water tankers.

Firefighters on site: 23 Department of Natural Resources, 18 from Quebec, 20 from Parks Canada, 5 from PEI, plus support staff.