Firefighters were able to make progress on a wildfire that threatened communities in west Halifax this week.
In an update from the Natural Resources Department (DNR), officials said dousing operations continue on Thursday morning after relentless heat and work by crews since Tuesday afternoon.
Hours after the wildfire was reported, dark plumes of smoke could be seen from downtown Halifax and nearby businesses were evacuated. Those orders are being rescinded as of 11:00 a.m. on Aug. 14.
Businesses and employees on Chain Lake Drive, including addresses 205, 213 and 225, will be allowed to return this morning.
Officials say that several intersections, such as Julius Boulevard and Dugger McNeil Drive and Susie Lake Crescent, are still closed to help crews access the still burning fire.
Halifax transit routes will return to normal.
The fire is being deemed held, but DNR notes that even though its not growing it could change positively or negatively. A team of 30 from the provincial government and 12 from Halifax fire returned to the blaze and are working to get it under control.
The last update officials gave on its estimated size was 15 hectares on Wednesday afternoon.
Province recommends more industrial precautions on private land
As fires pop up across the province, the government says it is “strongly recommending” additional precautions specific to industrial and agricultural operations on private land.
The province notes commercial operations, like forestry or mining, are required to have a travel permit to work on crown land. Those permits, in some cases, require work to be done between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.. Crews must also have fire suppression equipment on hand and do a two-hour fire watch after the workday.
Nova Scotia is now asking that any operations on private land follow that same approach.
“Whenever industrial work takes place in our forests on Crown land, there are always safety precautions to reduce the risk of wildfires. We added to those requirements last week, given the current conditions,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources. “We’re working with forestry, agriculture and other industries operating on private land to also use those measures until we see the rain we know is needed to counteract these dangerously dry conditions.”
Rushton says the province will be assessing conditions and adjusting its recommendations as needed.