As smoke billowed over the treeline near Bayers Lake on Wednesday, hundreds of Halifax residents were once again facing the unnerving prospect of evacuation – a scene all too familiar in a region still recovering from last year’s devastating wildfires.
The fire broke out around noon in a wooded area behind the Bayers Lake Business Park, triggering immediate concern from officials who ordered evacuations of nearby residential areas and businesses as a precautionary measure.
“We’re taking absolutely no chances after what this community experienced last year,” said Halifax Regional Fire Division Commander Brad Connors at an impromptu press briefing. “Our crews responded within minutes, and we immediately called for additional resources including Department of Natural Resources ground teams and water bombers.”
The evacuation order affected approximately 130 homes in the Kearney Lake Road area and several businesses on the northern edge of the business park. Many residents gathered at a temporary shelter established at the Canada Games Centre, where Red Cross workers were registering evacuees.
Susan Mackenzie, who fled her home with only a small bag of essentials and her cat, described the eerie feeling of déjà vu. “Last May we were evacuated for nearly two weeks. I never thought we’d be going through this again so soon. The moment I smelled smoke, my heart just sank.”
Provincial officials confirmed that four water bombers were deployed to the scene alongside 28 ground crew members from the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables. The fire was estimated at approximately 10 hectares by late afternoon, though shifting winds complicated containment efforts.
This latest wildfire emerges as Nova Scotia has been experiencing unusually dry conditions for early May. According to Environment Canada meteorologist Jennifer Smith, the Halifax area has received only 22mm of rain in the past month – about 40 percent of normal precipitation levels.
“We’re seeing concerning drought conditions developing much earlier than expected,” Smith noted. “The fire index across much of the province is currently at high to extreme, which is unusual for this time of year.”
The timing of this fire is particularly troubling as it comes almost exactly one year after the catastrophic Tantallon wildfire that destroyed 151 homes and forced thousands to evacuate. That 2023 disaster prompted a provincial review of wildfire response protocols and led to increased resources being allocated to wildfire prevention and response.
Premier Tim Houston visited the command center Wednesday evening, emphasizing that lessons from last year’s disaster were being applied. “We’ve invested significantly in new equipment and training since last year. Our teams are better prepared, but the reality is that climate change is making these events more frequent and more severe.”
At Sobeys supermarket on Mumford Road, shelves of bottled water were quickly emptying as residents throughout the city prepared for possible wider evacuations. Store manager Dave Parsons said they were rushing additional supplies from their warehouse. “People remember how quickly things escalated last year. They’re not taking any chances.”
For wildlife biologist Dr. Marie Bouchard with Dalhousie University, these early season fires raise serious ecological concerns. “When we see fires in May, before many species have completed their breeding cycle, the impact on wildlife can be devastating. Last year’s fires occurred in areas that hadn’t burned in decades, disrupting habitats that took generations to establish.”
Community response has been swift. Local hotels are offering discounted rates for evacuees, and the Halifax Regional Municipality has opened additional comfort centers. Halifax Transit diverted several bus routes to help transport those without vehicles from the evacuation zones.
Social media has become a crucial communication tool during the crisis. The hashtag #HalifaxWildfire was trending by mid-afternoon as residents shared updates and offered assistance to those displaced. Many posted offers of temporary housing, pet care, and transportation on community Facebook groups.
Fire officials remained cautiously optimistic about containing the blaze but warned that changing weather conditions could complicate efforts. A cold front expected Thursday might bring needed rainfall but also gusting winds that could spread flames unpredictably.
For Halifax, a city still healing from last year’s trauma, this new wildfire has reopened wounds that had barely begun to heal. As night fell and the orange glow of flames remained visible from several vantage points around the city, residents braced for what could be another challenging wildfire season.
“The hardest part is the uncertainty,” said evacuee Michael Donovan as he settled into a cot at the emergency shelter. “You don’t know if you’ll have a home to go back to. But at least this time, it feels like everyone was ready to act quickly. That’s the one silver lining – we’ve learned from experience, even if it’s experience we wish we never had.”
