One year ago today, a remote wildfire broke out, following dozens of lightning strikes that went through West Dalhousie, Annapolis County.
I recall this day quite well, standing in the middle of the woods at an ongoing wildfire in Lake Paul, Kings County.
Large drops of rain started to fall with bangs of thunder as firefighters worked to contain the fire that started the previous day, as a result of thunderstorms.
The two storms that rolled through brought little to no rain, with extreme dry conditions and weeks and weeks without any accumulation, it was a perfect scenario for wildfires to pop up.
It wasn’t long after, that smoke was seen coming from a remote area in West Dalhousie, another fire had started.
Bridgetown Firefighters along with Department of Natural Resources and a helicopter responded, having troubles trying to get to the fire.
The fire, known as the Long Lake Wildfire, quickly grew in size, illuminating a glow into the overnight hours and forcing evacuations to West Dalhousie residents the following day.
Firefighters, aircraft, heavy machinery and many other agencies worked to battle the fire for weeks.
Sprinkler Protection Units were brought in to protect homes as the fire continued to spread toward the community.
In the end, the sprinklers and efforts by firefighters, saved 85 homes from the fire, resulting in a huge step in sprinkler protection in the province.
Additional mandatory evacuations were also called, forcing homeowners in Trout Lake, New Albany and surrounding communities to flee.
During the fire efforts a helicopter from Department of Natural Resources had crashed. Thankfully, the pilot survived and was safely rescued.
Additional aircraft were also brought in from out of province to assist. NWT skimmers were kept on contract to aid during the rest of the wildfire season, being an asset for additional fires throughout the following weeks.
In total, the fire burned 8,468 hectares, the equivalent of 84 square kilometres. The fire destroyed 20 homes and damaged several other buildings and properties.
Over a month after the fire was reported, the final evacuees were able to return home.
In May of 2026 the Department of Natural Resources officially declared the fire out, the longest active fire in Nova Scotia to date.
Many of the residents who have lost their homes, suffered damages and feel the impacts mentally, are still dealing with the aftermath of the fire today.
We continue to think of all the evacuees and homeowners who were impacted by these devastating fires and thank the hundreds of people who helped.
Adrian J.
