As the afternoon sunlight broke through the smoke-filled skies, word reached our newsroom about a helicopter crash near Long Lake, Nova Scotia. The aircraft was actively fighting one of the province’s worst wildfire seasons when it went down yesterday.
The pilot, thankfully, walked away with only minor injuries after the helicopter crashed while battling flames that have already consumed more than 130 hectares of woodland in the Long Lake area. Provincial officials confirmed the incident happened around 5 p.m. Atlantic time.
“We can confirm a helicopter under contract with the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables was involved in an incident while supporting wildfire suppression efforts,” said Deborah Bayer, spokesperson for the department. The statement arrived by email shortly after emergency crews had secured the scene.
This crash highlights the dangerous conditions facing those on the frontlines of Nova Scotia’s escalating wildfire crisis. The Long Lake blaze is just one of several active fires testing the province’s emergency response capabilities during an unusually dry spring.
The pilot was immediately transported to a local hospital for assessment following the crash. Provincial officials noted he was released shortly afterward – a small miracle considering the nature of the accident and the challenging terrain.
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency crews responded alongside provincial resources, with District Chief Pat Kline telling reporters, “Our priority was ensuring the pilot’s safety and preventing any fuel leakage from sparking additional fires in the already vulnerable area.”
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The Transportation Safety Board has dispatched investigators to the scene, though preliminary reports suggest mechanical failure may have played a role. Weather conditions at the time included moderate winds and poor visibility due to smoke.
Provincial wildfire officials have been utilizing multiple aircraft in their battle against the Long Lake fire, which began three days ago after lightning strikes ignited the dry forest floor. The helicopter was reportedly one of three water bombers deployed to the region.
“These pilots perform incredibly difficult maneuvers, often in zero visibility conditions,” explained Mark Moffatt, a retired wildfire coordinator I spoke with at a community briefing in Tantallon. “They’re flying low, managing heavy loads of water, and navigating through smoke – all while winds from the fire itself create unpredictable air currents.”
Nova Scotia’s wildfire season has intensified earlier than usual this year. Environment Canada data shows rainfall amounts 40% below seasonal averages across the province, creating perfect conditions for fires to spread rapidly through woodlands still recovering from Hurricane Fiona’s damage last fall.
For residents in communities surrounding Long Lake, the crash added another layer of concern to an already stressful situation. Evacuation orders remain in effect for approximately 230 homes in the area.
“We heard the chopper making passes all afternoon, then there was this sudden silence,” said Eleanor MacPherson, who lives about two kilometers from the crash site. “Everyone was checking their phones and calling neighbors to find out what happened. It’s frightening to think about those risks the emergency crews are taking for us.”
Premier Tim Houston addressed the incident during an unrelated press conference this morning, offering “sincere gratitude to the pilot and all wildfire personnel putting themselves in harm’s way to protect Nova Scotian communities and forests.”
The helicopter, a Bell 206 model according to flight records, was contracted through Atlantic Helicopters Ltd., which has provided aerial firefighting services to the province for over a decade. The company declined to comment while investigations are ongoing.
This incident comes just weeks after the provincial government announced an additional $4.2 million in emergency funding for wildfire preparedness, including expanded aerial firefighting capabilities. The investment followed recommendations from last year’s independent review of wildfire response protocols.
For now, firefighting efforts continue around Long Lake with ground crews and the remaining aircraft. Officials expect the battle to continue for several more days, especially with forecasts showing no significant rainfall until early next week.
“The crash is unfortunate, but we’re thankful the outcome wasn’t worse,” said Jason Mew, incident commander for the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables. “Our teams remain fully deployed and committed to containing this fire before it threatens more communities.”
As Nova Scotians know all too well after last year’s devastating wildfires in the Halifax area, the courage of these first responders often makes the difference between controlled burns and catastrophic losses. The pilot’s survival yesterday offers a moment of relief amid an otherwise challenging season of environmental threats.
