Halifax-area crews battling forest fire near Bayers Lake

smoking billows from wildfire close Halifax's Bayers Lake country

Halifax residents ar being asked to avoid the Bayers Lake Business Park as firefighters battle a wildfire in the area.

Once crews arrived, they encountered a fire in the wooded area behind Julius Boulevard and Dugger McNeil Drive, behind Kent Building Supplies. 

Halifax Fire has 13 trucks at the scene, about 10 kilometres west of downtown Halifax.

Four air tankers from New Brunswick have arrived and are actively dropping water on the fire.

The provincial government currently estimates the size of the fire to be six hectares and says eight Department of Natural Resources (DNR) crew members are in Bayers Lake working alongside 30 firefighters from Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency.

Two DNR helicopters are also in use. In an emergency alert issued after 4:30 p.m., the fire was described as "uncontrollable". 

Nova Scotia Health confirmed the Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre is being evacuated and that the facility's emergency response plans are being activated. Anyone with an appointment scheduled for the remainder of the day should not attend. Those with blood collection appointments can go to the Bayers Road Centre location instead. 

What exactly are the stages of a wildfire?

Environment Canada and Nova Scotia's Department of Health and Wellness issued a special air quality statement on Tuesday afternoon, saying smoke from the Bayers Lake fire is reducing air quality in the metro Halifax and western Halifax County areas.

People aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, are considered higher risk and should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms, the statement said. 

"As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events. You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough."

The statement recommended people keep doors and windows closed when indoors.

"When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool," the statement said.

Veronica MacIsaac was out for lunch at Jack Astor's in Bayers Lake when a friend spotted the smoke.

"And people were quickly paying their bills and trying to get out of there."

MacIsaac said one of the staff at the restaurant drove out to see what was happening and noted some areas were being evacuated and roads were closing.

"We got in an Uber and tried to get out of there, but traffic was already starting to get pretty congested," she said.

Smoke from the fire could be seen across Halifax on Tuesday afternoon.

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