A generator hums in a grassy field at the operations base of the Lake George wildfire in Nova Scotia while a team member lays out numerous hoses to dry under the sun. These hoses were recently removed from homes and structures where they were supplying water to multiple sprinklers, preventing the approaching flames and embers from damaging the properties.
Following the successful containment of the Kings County wildfire, the equipment is being packed into trailers for future use. This wildfire season witnessed the largest protective operation in the province’s history to safeguard buildings. The Department of Emergency Management is now procuring more structure protection units, which house essential equipment like sprinklers, pumps, and hoses.
Dave Rockwood, the province’s fire and ground search and rescue coordinator, expressed the province’s significant investment in expanding their structure protection units across Nova Scotia. During the Lake George and Long Lake wildfires, sprinklers played a crucial role in protecting homes and infrastructure by wetting surfaces to prevent ignition and cooling the environment to slow down the fire’s spread.
At Lake George, approximately 600 sprinklers of various types were utilized, requiring several days for setup and weeks of continuous maintenance. Nova Scotia currently possesses one structure protection unit and plans to purchase additional units for $245,000 each. Moreover, the province collaborates with local fire departments, such as Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency and the Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Department, who also own their own units.
During the Long Lake fire in Annapolis County, 88 homes were equipped with sprinklers, saving 85 of them. Unfortunately, three homes could not be saved due to various factors like topography, fuel types, and fire behavior. The strategic placement of sprinklers on homes, bridges, and around the community played a vital role in protecting properties during the wildfires near Lake George.
The operation of keeping the sprinklers running is a massive task, involving pumping water from nearby sources or using large portable tanks when water sources are distant. Rockwood highlighted the logistical challenges faced during the Long Lake fire, where millions of gallons of water had to be moved to ensure a reliable water supply for the sprinkler systems.
Sprinklers were not utilized during the Halifax-area and Shelburne County wildfires in May 2023 due to the rapid movement of the fires, which is common early in the fire season. The procurement of the new structure protection units will follow the province’s regular acquisition process to enhance wildfire protection measures in Nova Scotia.
