Evacuations Underway as Wildfire Threatens Halifax’s Bayers Lake Business Park

Evacuations Underway as Wildfire Threatens Halifax’s Bayers Lake Business Park

Evacuations Underway as Wildfire Threatens Halifax’s Bayers Lake Business Park

Hey, I wanted to fill you in on the situation unfolding right now in Halifax, specifically around the Bayers Lake Business Park area. Earlier today, a wildfire sparked near the wooded sections beside the business park, and it’s gotten serious enough that evacuations have been ordered for several businesses in the area.

The fire was first reported around 2:30 in the afternoon, and it quickly grew, spreading through the woods near Susie Lake Crescent. From what people are seeing, the flames have been visible even from the west end of Halifax, with smoke drifting as far as West Bedford. The city confirmed that dozens of firefighters were immediately dispatched, and a large-scale firefighting response was mobilized—this included 13 fire trucks, a helicopter, and even two water bombers flown in from New Brunswick to assist.

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The fire has affected businesses directly adjacent to the blaze, like the Kent Building Supplies store and a nearby Tim Hortons, which were among those evacuated. The Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre was also evacuated due to the heavy smoke, and all its appointments for the day were canceled. Emergency officials have urged everyone to avoid the area, and police have closed roads including Julius Boulevard, Chain Lake Drive, and Susie Lake Crescent to keep traffic away and allow emergency crews to work efficiently and safely.

Officials have been working hard to contain the fire, with about 30 firefighters battling the flames on the ground while helicopters drop water and planes lay down fire retardant from above. So far, efforts seem to be limiting the wildfire’s spread, but the situation is still very much active. The fire is estimated to have burned an area between six to ten hectares, and given the ongoing heatwave hitting Nova Scotia—temperatures hovering around 29 to 33 degrees Celsius—the risk remains elevated.

Environment Canada has issued an air quality statement warning residents about the smoke in the area, advising vulnerable groups like older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with respiratory conditions to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and stay indoors if possible. Despite the serious threat to the business park and the smoke affecting the air quality, residents living nearby in their homes have not been ordered to evacuate at this time.

Overall, emergency crews are fully engaged in controlling this wildfire, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. Everyone’s being asked to steer clear of Bayers Lake so firefighters and first responders can do their jobs safely and effectively. It’s a tense time for the Halifax community, but there’s hope that with the combined efforts on the ground and in the air, the fire can be contained without further damage or injury.

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