Residents remember 2008 blaze after brush fire outside Halifax

Above watch: Fri, May 8: On Thursday 150 homes were evacuated as crews battled a fire near Halifax. Ray Bradshaw reports.

LAWRENCETOWN, N.S. – Cleanup began Friday following a brush fire outside Halifax that caused the evacuation of 150 homes the previous night.

Crews from the Department of Natural Resources and Halifax Fire were on scene in the morning putting out hotspots, and the fire was put out by the afternoon.

More than 19 hectares were burned, but no buildings were affected. However, the close call had many in the area thinking about a similar evacuation seven years ago.

When residents of Mineville and Lawrencetown were told to evacuate on Friday, it brought back memories of a major fire in the same area in 2008.

“I just said, ‘again.’ Same place, apparently just the other side of the road,” said Mike Heaney, who has lived in the area for 16 years.

Paula Green bought land in the community just before the fire in 2008.

“There was always a concern it could happen again,” she said. “I remember it being a really scary time back then for friends, and we were concerned with our land here.

“I guess you never really think it’s going to happen again, so it was a bit of a shock yesterday when we arrived home.”

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With two helicopters dumping water on the fire and several fire trucks in the region, the quiet community was uncharacteristically busy.

“It was an exciting time for the kids,” said Green. “But my husband and I were anxious, trying to get a bag packed and out the door.”

Heaney said it was “the most excitement we’ve had for over a year now” with all the fire trucks in the area.

As a result of the blaze, a fire ban has been put in place across Halifax.

“No burning of any kind,” said Roy Hollett, the deputy chief of Halifax Fire. “That includes fire pits, chimeneas, any type of outdoor wood-burning appliance, can’t be used. The only thing you can use are barbecues.”

Dan Boudreau moved to the area five years ago and said he agrees any outdoor fires would be dangerous right now.

“Everything here is as dry as a bone, even with the amount of snow and the amount of rainfall we had recently,” he said.

Hollett said despite the snow, the fire risk is still high, with grass and leaves being quick to ignite.

People in the community all said the firefighters did an excellent job.

“They did a fantastic job and it’s because of them we’re safe today,” said Green.

Hollett expects to have a report on the fire investigation by Monday.