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Prepare for “a long firefight,” deputy fire chief says
And Shelburne area wildfires cause closure of Black Loyalist Heritage Centre.
Alyssa Goulart
June 01, 2023
Good morning Halifax,
I just wanted to take a second to acknowledge all the love and appreciation many of you have been sharing with us over the past few days through our daily newsletter satisfaction poll. It means a lot to myself and the rest of The Coast team to know our recent coverage has been useful or helpful to you in some way. We truly could not do this without all of you.
On another note, with the ongoing wildfires, we had to delay announcing the winner of our Scotia Festival of Music Highlight Concert 6 (happening June 4) giveaway. I apologize for that. But without further ado the winner of the giveaway is Allison! Look out for an email from someone on The Coast team. Thank you to everyone who entered.
TANTALLON FIRE
Prepare for “a long firefight,” deputy fire chief says
📸 Martin Bauman/The Coast
The tone from Halifax deputy fire chief Dave Meldrum was one of vigilance on Wednesday. Speaking with reporters for the third straight day as a wildfire continues to burn across Upper Tantallon and Hammonds Plains, the veteran firefighter cautions that the week’s weather conditions could still be “very dangerous” for fire crews. About 100 firefighters from across Nova Scotia—and even PEI—are working to seize control of a blaze that has grown from 788 hectares on May 30 to 837 hectares as of May 31.
“This is a stressful time,” Meldrum said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s taking considerable time. And we’re containing this fire with our partners, but every day that goes by without rain, and every day that the temperature goes up, and every day that the winds are significant allows those fuels... to become more and more volatile.”
Meanwhile, as an estimated 16,400 Haligonians wait to return home—some of whom face the prospect of no home to return to—Nova Scotia’s premier is calling on Ottawa for more help.
Need to know
☀️ Today's weather: Sunny with a high of 32C and a low of 16C. A UV index of 8. Local smoke is expected in the area and due to the ongoing wildfires a special air quality statement is in effect.
🏠 If your home has been impacted by the wildfires, CBC spoke with Atlantic vice-president for the Insurance Bureau, Amanda Dean, on what homeowners should know about insurance claims.
⚠️ The Halifax Regional Police are warning of a potential scam involving an individual giving false evacuation notices over the phone. Read more here.
In other news
❤️ An uplifting story: Listen to how White Sails Bakery’s Lindsay Moussi has put together a team of volunteers to make sure the firefighters working in Upper Tantallon are being fed.
🧯 Firefighters were called to a downtown Halifax building Tuesday evening for a rooftop fire that is believed to have been caused by ongoing roof work. CTV has the story.
😞 Police in New Glasgow reported two cases of arson in a wooded area behind Aberdeen Hospital on Tuesday. Thankfully, both fires were extinguished.
🎣 The federal government introduced its plans for regulating offshore wind energy products in Atlantic Canada but one question was left unanswered: Will the fisherman ousted by these planned wind farms be given financial compensation? CBC has the story.
🗣 The Halifax Oddities & Curiosities Show happening Oct. 28 is looking for vendors that feature “the odd, obscure, strange, unusual, macabre, dark, magical & bizarre.” You can find the application here. The deadline to apply is Sept. 15 at 11:59pm.
📜 Linda Lee Oland has been appointed as The Founding Chair when it comes to supporting the government in implementing the recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission.
WILDFIRES
Shelburne area wildfires cause closure of Black Loyalist Heritage Centre
📸 Communications Nova Scotia/Len Wagg
The unprecedented wildfires in Nova Scotia continue today, with the burning in Shelburne County now being called one of the biggest wildfires in the province’s history, as Global News reports. As a reported 17,602 hectares of a wooded area in the province’s southwestern pocket continues to blaze, about 5,000 people have been evacuated.
Amongst the places to shutter its doors has been the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre, a Birchtown museum that tells the story of, as its website puts it, “the world’s largest free African population outside of Africa, in the late 18th century in Nova Scotia.” An announcement was made by the Nova Scotia Museum (the entity that oversees the Centre, as well as other provincially-owned museums, like the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic) on May 30 that the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre would be “closed until further notice” due to threat of forest fire—along with the nearby Barrington Museum Complex.
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🗓 Things to do: weekend planner
Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out these Coast picks:
Thursday
Comedy Night with Hughie Batherson: Nationally known Hughie Batherson will be at The Bus Stop Theatre tonight for a standup comedy show | 7:30pm-10pm | Free.
A self-guided tour: Explore Halifax’s churches, gardens and graveyards with a new smartphone audio walking tour provided by Tripvia Tours. The tour begins at 1193 South Park Street | $7.83.
An evening of poetry: Head to Province House for an evening of live poetry from poets Sue Goyette, Luke Hathaway, Nanci Lee and Annick MacAskill. Make sure to register for your free ticket | 7pm | Free.
Friday
Paint Night: Wind down at a community paint night led by artist Sandra MacDonald at St. James Church Hall. There will also be door prizes and refreshments! | 7pm | $30.
Spring Fundraiser: Help Halifax kids go to camp this summer and attend the annual North End Spring Fundraiser. Enjoy a night of live music, appetizers and drinks at Café Lara | 7pm-10pm | $54.58.
But I’m a Cheerleader: Kick off Pride Month at the Halifax Central Library with a screening of camp classic But I’m a Cheerleader (rated R) | 6:30pm-9pm | Free.
Saturday
The Music of Fleetwood Mac: Head to The Marquee for a Fleetwood Mac tribute featuring music group GYPSY | 8pm | $24.85.
North End Community Market: The Mobile Food Market will be set up at the North Memorial Public Library this weekend selling fresh and affordable fruits & veggies, dried goods, and Stone Hearth Bakery bread | 12:30pm-2pm | Free admission.
ChessFest: Calling all chess lovers, the Nova Scotia Scholastic Chess Association and Chess Nova Scotia are back with their annual ChessFest at the Halifax Central Library. Enjoy an afternoon of chess activities for people of all ages and skill levels | 12pm-5pm | Free.
Sunday
Spryfrield Farmer’s Market: The Spryfield Farmer’s Market is having its grand opening for the season. Celebrate local agriculture, artisans and community spirit at 205 Herring Cove Road | 12pm | Free admission.
Hello City: Celebrate 6 years of Hello City with a special anniversary improvised comedy show | 7:30pm-10pm | $11.98.
Floral Workshop: Props Floral Design is holding a floral wokshop to help promote mental health and wellness | 11am-12:30pm | $97.18.
Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings.
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