MUSQUODOBOIT HARBOUR — RCMP in Nova Scotia say they are helping evacuate some residents from Musquodoboit Harbour as they assist firefighters responding to an active forest fire in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Mounties issued a statement about the forest fire Sunday afternoon, asking residents to avoid the area about 45 kilometres east of downtown Halifax.
People living between the 600 block of Ostrea Lake Road and Highway 7 and nearby adjacent roads have been asked to stay away.
Nova Scotia's natural resources department issued a statement on social media Sunday afternoon saying the fire is estimated at 0.35 kilometres in size, and 12 of its firefighters and one helicopter are on scene assisting local fire departments.
RCMP spokesperson Guillaume Tremblay was unable to comment on the status of the fire or say how many residents had been asked to leave their homes as of late Sunday afternoon.
The Department of Natural Resources and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The union representing Halifax firefighters issued a statement on social media at 4:30 p.m., saying the fire continues to grow and is estimated to be between 0.38 and 0.4 square kilometres in size, and air support from the Department of Natural Resources is active.
"The fire conditions are serious, fuelled by thick brush, dry vegetation, and gusty winds. Crews have been pulled from the woods for safety and are now focused on structure protection," a spokesperson with the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters said in an emailed statement to The Canadian Press.
"Our thoughts are with the residents affected and with the firefighters and police officers working to protect lives and property under extremely challenging conditions," said the statement from Brent Williams.
A comfort centre has been opened at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour.
The Halifax Regional Municipality issued a statement saying residents who are close to the fire are advised to close all windows and doors, shut down air exchangers and stay inside until air quality conditions improve.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2025.
— By Lyndsay Armstrong in Halifax.
The Canadian Press
