Fire Services Rise to the Challenge

Cumberland County’s fire services were put to the test yesterday when almost all of the fire departments in the northern part of the county were pressed into service.

It started about 1 pm with a 911 call reporting smoke in the area of Angevine Lake. That sent Wallace firefighters into action.

They soon called for backup when they discovered a fire in the woods. Fire departments from Pugwash and Tatamagouche were dispatched, along with the fire service from the Department of Natural resources.

By mid afternoon it was described as a forest fire, complete with a forced evacuation of all residents of Dewar Drive.

Firefighters gained control of the blaze by 6 pm, allowing residents to return to their homes and cottages.

A short but welcome rain, early in the evening, further dampened the parched area giving a little rest to weary firefighters. Wallace firefighters are checking the scene this morning for any hot spots or concerns.

Meanwhile the sirens sounded again just before 9 pm as Shinimicas was called to a barn fire on Mount Pleasant Road near Killarney Lake. They were quickly joined by tanker crews from Pugwash, Oxford, and Leicester.

The large barn proved to be a stubborn fire requiring further aid from Truemanville, Tidnish Bridge, Collingwood, and Amherst.

To add to manpower concerns, Springhill firefighters responded to their own call to a fire in a garbage pile on Mechanic Street.

It is important to stress that fire conditions in the province are very hazardous following our recent heat wave and dry spell. 

Nova Scotia’s check before your burn webpage —https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/— was entirely red yesterday, meaning that open fires of any kind were completely banned.

Now is not a time to burn garbage or brush. Some very tired firefighters will thank you if you leave your matches at home.

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