A large forest fire broke out this afternoon east of Halifax. It is out of control fueled by high northerly winds and lots of down timber from Hurricane Juan. Here are a few pictures I took this afternoon. I was about 20 - 30 km away.
Good pics, Darren. That must be quite a fire, the smoke is visible from space. (At least I think that's what the inverted "V" shaped plume is )
Yes, they have evacuated several areas in Minesville. The main fire has jumped the 107 highway in several spots
There is also another one in the St Margaret's Bay Area.
The winds are playing havoc with them.
Unfortunately there have been several minor brush fire started in the last several hours and it's obvious they did not start by themselves.
They were caught early
It is also visible on radar, the blue right below "Halifax". Must be an inversion or something.
Well that didn't work too well. You'll have to take my word on that one!
WOCN11 CWHX 132243
Special weather statement for Nova Scotia issued by Environment
Canada at 7:19 PM ADT Friday 13 June 2008.
A number of forest fires have developed today creating..Among other
Things..A smoke hazard to several areas around mainland Nova Scotia.
Strong and gusty northerly winds have increased the danger from these
fires and are spreading smoke south from the fires. Of particular
threat to the Halifax county area are two fires.
The first is a major fire..Currently out of control..In the Porters
lake area extending west towards cole harbour. Satellite imagery
shows a major smoke plume moving south with the wind blowing it
directly offshore. Low level winds will stay north for most of the
Night and diminish somewhat overnight..But higher level winds may
Carry some of the smoke over cow bay..Eastern passage..And southeast
through sambro overnight.
The second fire is a smaller event near Tantallon which is carrying
smoke south along the east coast of st. Margarets bay. This may
affect communities all along this coast and extend south through
peggys cove and west dover.
The smoke risk will persist until the fires are extinguished.
Dry conditions and persistent winds tonight and tomorrow will
continue to spread the smoke until the fires are extinguished.
The public is advised to monitor future forecasts as warnings may be
required.
END/..
I hope they're able to get it under control soon. We get alot of forest fires here but it's usually up North were there is very little population. It must be hard seeing that coming and knowing there is nothing you can do to stop it.
They are still working on it this morning. Apparently it is not as bad as yesterday. They brought a bulldozer in this mornig to make a road in closer the worse area. But the wind is still relatively high, so I suppose there is still a risk of flare-ups.
There is a lot of dry dead wood in that area and east of that left over from trees brought down by hurricane Juan.
Looks like they are getting it under control..... only a thin wisp of smoke visible this morning.