Ottawa, August 18, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Long Lake wildfire in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis County continues to burn out of control, expanding to an estimated 1,977 hectares, according to the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
In an update posted to social media on Sunday evening, the DNR said the fire had advanced past Godfrey Lake to the intersection of Fairns and West Dalhousie roads, near several evacuated homes, and to the south side of Spectacle Lake.
A large ground force of more than 200 firefighters — including 77 from the DNR, 120 local firefighters, 20 from Ontario, and five from Prince Edward Island — battled the blaze throughout Sunday night. Two contracted helicopters assisted with water drops, and as of 7:45 p.m. local time, no structural damage had been reported.
Despite efforts, officials said weather conditions remain unfavorable, with low humidity, strong winds, and warm temperatures pushing the fire northeast toward West Dalhousie, where 107 homes were evacuated last week.
“Today is very low humidity, and wind, and warm, and is everything we don’t need for helping us put out fires,” said Jim Rudderham, Nova Scotia’s director for fleet and forest protection.
Earlier, the department had warned of “more evacuations possible,” though no new orders were issued as of Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, the federal government has approved a request for assistance from Nova Scotia. Federal Minister of Emergency Management Eleanor Olszewski confirmed coordination with the Canadian Armed Forces and other partners to ensure adequate support.
Four water-skimmer aircraft from the Northwest Territories, initially deployed to the Long Lake fire, were briefly diverted to respond to a new blaze at Simonds Lake in Digby County before returning to base.
Over the weekend, evacuees were escorted back to their homes briefly to collect clothes, medications, and other essentials. Further updates are expected Monday morning.
