Municipal authorities in Kings County are urging individuals to refrain from entering mandatory evacuation areas as the Lake George wildfire continues to rage uncontrollably.
Dave Corkum, mayor of the Municipality of the County of Kings, emphasized on CBC’s Maritime Noon the concerning trend of people using ATVs to access evacuation zones near the fire for a closer view. Corkum stressed the importance of people staying away from these zones for their own safety and that of the first responders, highlighting the risks posed by such actions.
According to the latest update from the Department of Natural Resources on Monday, the wildfire is burning deeply and has expanded slightly to cover 288 hectares, with no reported damage to structures. The report mentioned the presence of 35 Department of Natural Resources personnel, 23 local firefighters, 39 from B.C., two planes from Newfoundland and Labrador, four from the Northwest Territories, six helicopters, and 18 pieces of heavy machinery at the scene.
Mayor Corkum expressed concerns about the challenging weather conditions, with temperatures forecasted to rise into the high 20s in Kings County, exacerbating the situation for firefighters due to unprecedented dryness and potential wind factors.
In response to the wildfire threat, more than 350 residences and cottages around Lake George and the west side of Aylesford Lake have been evacuated. Corkum disclosed that 205 households have registered at the Red Cross evacuation center in New Minas, with only three individuals requiring overnight accommodations, as most evacuees are staying with relatives or in hotels. No residents within the evacuation zones have been permitted to return to their homes as of now.
On a positive note, the smaller Baxters Harbour wildfire in Kings County, which emerged over the weekend, has been successfully contained, as confirmed by the Department of Natural Resources. Mayor Corkum commended the swift response that led to the fire being swiftly brought under control.
For more news and updates, visit CBC.ca.
