Halifax firefighters hopeful large blaze may soon be under control [video included]

by Selena Ross
The Chronicle Herald
May 21, 2012

UPDATED 11:44 p.m. Firefighters battling a forest fire near Spryfield are hoping that nightfall, and forecasted rainfall, will help them get the large blaze under control.

The fire was officially considered “contained” by 9 p.m., and Halifax Regional Fire Services told residents of about 60 homes on Purcells Cove Road that an evacuation order placed at around 5:00 p.m. had been lifted.

The evacuees were told they could sleep at home on the condition that they be prepared to leave again within 30 minutes if the fire flared again overnight. They were asked to prepare emergency kits with medications and other necessities that could last them for 72 hours, if needed.

The fire is not considered under control yet, said fire services spokesman Dave Meldrum. There’s a risk of flare-ups, and fire trucks will patrol the burning area from the Halls Road area overnight in case flames grow again, putting homes at risk.

“It’s always a possibility, so that’s why we’re cautious about these things,” he said.

Overnight, people around Williams Lake can expect to see flames jumping several metres as trees burn, said Fire Platoon Chief Scott Shaffner.

That doesn’t mean the whole fire has reignited, but that one patch of ground continues to burn while fire crews keep a constant eye on it.

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