“Wildfire Forces Evacuations Near Lake George”

An increasing number of residences are undergoing evacuation procedures due to an uncontrolled wildfire near Lake George in Kings County.

A notification issued at 10:14 a.m. AT has mandated new evacuations for the following areas: Aylesford Road extending from Fox Mountain Campground to 3847 Aylesford Rd., all residences on Spruce Drive, Birch Lane, and Blue Lane, as well as all addresses between 5 North River Rd. to 1493 North River Rd.

Residents are urged to vacate their homes promptly and register at the reception center located at the Louis Millett Centre in New Minas.

The wildfire, which ignited on Sunday, has grown to approximately 150 hectares as of Tuesday. The Department of Natural Resources disclosed that 275 addresses, including some cottages, have already been evacuated.

Jim Rudderham, the director of fleet and forest protection at the department, informed the media that the cause of the fire remains undetermined, but it is suspected to be linked to human activities since no lightning strikes have been reported in the vicinity.

“It’s disheartening for us and the community when such incidents occur,” Rudderham expressed.

A team comprising 23 DNR personnel and 20 local firefighters was actively engaged in combating the blaze on Tuesday. Six aircraft, including four from the Northwest Territories and two from Quebec, were conducting water drops. They were supported by two contracted helicopters and one from DNR. Additionally, six pieces of heavy equipment were deployed on-site to construct fire containment lines.

The fire is progressing from the northern edge of Lake George in an eastward direction towards the northern tip of Aylesford Lake.

This incident occurred just a day after the Long Lake wildfire in Annapolis County, which started on August 13 and razed 20 homes, was eventually contained.