Chronological list of EMO updates

Chronological list of EMO updates during the 2008 Lake Echo Minesville wildfire in Nova Scotia

Updated Monday June 16th, 2008 3:07 pm:

As of 4:00 pm today the highway 107 between exit 18-19 will re-open.

This marks the end of EMO operations.

All highways and streets are now open.

HRM Fire remains to have a presence in the area for the wrap-up of operations.

Updated Monday June 16th, 2008 12:35 pm

The remaining closed streets will be open as of 2:00 pm and residents may return to their homes, these include:

Marjorie Dr
George Dr
Leslie Rd (including Bastin Point Rd and Heron View)
Country Lake Rd

For the first 2 hours (2:00pm-4:00pm) access will be restricted to residents only, however after that time the streets will be open to the general public.

All other opened streets are also open to the general public

Highway 107 between exit 18-19 remain closed at this time, however we expect an update later today on the opening of the highway.

Any resident who notices left over fire-fighting equipment (hoses, etc) are asked to leave the equipment where it is and fire services will be around to collect it.

Updated Monday June 16th, 2008 11:20 am
Attention of Residents of Eastern Shore Impacted by the Fire

Collection and Storage of Green Cart and Other Sources of Food

Regular green cart collection will be completed the week of June 16, 2008 in the Porters Lake, Lake Echo, Three Fathom Harbour, East and West Chezzetcook, North and East Preston, Lawrencetown, Conrod Settlement and West Petpeswick. Regular collection of recyclables will also be provided the week of June 16th.

Residents are reminded of the following measures to prevent the attraction of animals that have been displaced by the fire:

• place your green cart out for collection at 7 am on your regular collection weekday
• once your green cart has been collected place in a shed or garage
• remove exterior pet dishes
• remove grease from BBQ's and/or place in garage or shed
• remove bird feeders and any seeds on the ground
• waste stored outside is to be placed in garbage can with a lid
• as bears are primarily nocturnal, place your green cart out for collection in the morning
• contact the Department of Natural Resources (1-800-565-2224) whom will live trap the bear and relocate

For information call the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000.

Updated Monday June 16th, 2008 7:54 am

Residents who are returning to their homes to find that their power has been disconnected must contact NS Power at 428-6230 to have it re-connected. **Please be advised** - Ensure all appliances are turned off prior to the re-connection of power.

Updated Sunday June 15th, 2008 9:15 pm

STREET CLOSURES
The following streets are still closed:

• Marjorie Dr
• George Dr
• Leslie Rd (including Bastin Point Rd and Heron View)
• Country Lake Rd
• Highway 107 from exits 18-19
• Please note that Highway 107 will not be open on Monday June 16th for rush hour going into the city (6-9am)

STREET OPENINGS

• Ponderosa Drive off of Highway 207 will be open as of 8:00 pm
• Crowel Road will be open as of 9:00pm; we ask that you use the Highway 207 to access this road
• West Porters Lake Rd will be open as of 9:00pm ; we ask that you use the Highway 207 to access this road
• The check point at Highway 107; exit 17 will move back to exit 18 at 9:00pm which means that exit 17 will be re-opened
• Mineville will be open as of 9:00pm
• Candy Mountain Rd will be open as of 9:00pm; power to the homes on Candy Mountain Rd has been turned off but there will be a NS Power truck on this street, please contact the truck driver to re-connect your power.
• Shoreline Rd will be open as of 9:00pm
• All of Highway #7 will be open at 9:00pm

The RCMP asks that you please check your residence upon returning home for any kind of a breech; if you find one, please call the complaint line to report it at 490-5016. There will be officers in the area to deal with any issues.

LAKES
please stay off Lake Echo and Porters Lake; water bombers are using these lakes to access water to put out fires.

ROADWAYS
Motorists are asked to pull over to the side of the road when they encounter emergency vehicles.

NEXT UPDATES
The next aerial survey will take place at 6:30 am on Monday June 16th, and the next update will be at 11:00 am on Monday June 16th.

Updated Sunday June 15th, 2008 6:22 pm

STREET OPENINGS
Effective immediately, the following streets will be open to local residents only until 7:30 pm (you will need to show ID with your civic address to get through the check point), they will then be open to the general public after 7:30 pm:

-Highway #7 and adjoining streets
-The Wonderland Trailor Park
-Highway 207; however the following adjoining roads are still closed:

-Lahey Dr
-Moore Dr
-Murphy Rd
-Glendale
-Maple Dr
-Island View Dr
-Leslie Rd
-Heron View
-Bastin Point Rd

THE FOLLOWING AREAS ARE NOT YET OPEN:
-Blue Rock Rd
-Ponderosa Dr
-Country Lake Road

There will be an aerial assessment of the area at 6:00 pm-we hope to open more areas by our 7:00pm update.

FIRE INVESTIGATION
The RCMP Forensic team believes that the fire started at the Wonderland Trailor Park, however, the cause of the fire is not yet known.

SCHOOLS
The Halifax Regional School Board has updated information regarding school closures, exams and bus schedules on their website at http://www.hrsb.ns.ca/

Updated Sunday June 15th, 2008 2:21 pm

EVACUATIONS
All existing evacuation orders and road blocks are still in effect. As of 5 pm this evening, we will consider opening certain areas to residents only-you will need ID that includes your civic address to go through the check point areas; the areas include Wonderland Trailer Park and Ponderosa Drive.

ACCESS TO RESTRICTED AREAS (FOR PETS, MEDICATION & OTHER EMERGENCIES)
This process remains the same, residents must register with the Red Cross (through 490-4000 or at the shelter in Cole Harbour Place) and they will be contacted if and when access is permissible.

STATUS OF THE FIRE
At this point, there is more smoke than there is actual fire; there are still larger areas burning, but they are fairly deep back in the brush. No residential areas are immediately affected at this time.

SCHOOLS
The Halifax Regional School Board has announced that the following schools will be closed tomorrow:

-Bell Park
-Atlantic View
-O'Connell Drive

The school board will announce each day what school closures will be in effect for the following day.

Junior High and High Schools located outside the evacuation areas will remain open, however students who live within the evacuated areas are excused from writing exams. Please get in touch with individual principals to make arrangements to either pro-rate your grades or re-schedule your exam.

All Junior High and High School students who live within the evacuated areas have excused absences from classes.

Updated Sunday June 15th, 2008 12:03 pm

CALLS REGARDING POLICE ALLOWING ACCESS TO RESTRICTED AREAS

Police are only allowing access to restricted areas to those residents who have registered with the Red Cross and who have been contacted and informed that they can access their home.

Individuals who have already registered with the Red Cross will be contacted if access to their home is permissible. Those who have not already registered with the Red Cross should do so through 490-4000 or through the shelter at Cole Harbour Place. Once they have registered with the Red Cross, the information will be forwarded to the RCMP who will then contact the resident when access is possible.

EVACUATIONS:
THERE ARE NO NEW EVACUATION ORDERS AT THIS TIME; that includes the area of Grand Dessert-this area is not under any threat from the fire.

Updated Sunday June 15th, 2008 9:51 am

For the Porter's Lake- Lake Echo and Area

ALL CURRENT EVACUATIONS AND ROAD CLOSURES REMAIN IN EFFECT.

Crews are evaluating the situation this morning and another update will occur at Cole Harbour place at 1:00pm today.

Residents with PETS in the evacuation area are being asked to register with the Red Cross at the Shelter, or by calling 490-4000. The Red cross will call back people with information on if they can return to retrieve / check on their pet.

Information on disruptions including School Cancellations will occur later today

Halifax Fire Deputy Chief Roy Hollett says the weather is co-operating and the crews are making good progress.

Updated Sunday June 15th, 2008 9:35 am

For the TANTALLON RESIDENTS ONLY

Halifax Fire advises that Evacuated areas in Tantallon - Bailee St and Janda St can return to their homes effective 12 noon today. Access to these areas will be restricted to residents only.

Updated Saturday June 14th, 2008 8:20 pm

All previous closures and evacuations remain the same.

For further updates, the public is asked to call the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000. Additionally, residents that have evacuated their homes can call the Centre where volunteers from the Red Cross will track their names for those inquiring about the well being of friends and family.

Updated Saturday June 14th, 2008 7:40 pm

An additional evacuation centre is now open for residents that have left their homes in the Porters Lake and Lake Echo areas as follows:

St. Anslem's Church Hall
West Chezzetcook
Contact: Janet Baker, President 827-2574

Updated Saturday June 14th, 2008 6:00 pm

At this time, HRM Fire and Department of Natural Resources have determined that they will not be re-opening Bailee or Janda Streets tonight.

If residents of these affected streets require accommodations, they can meet representatives from the Red Cross at the Seventh Day Adventist Church after 6:30 p.m. tonight.

Updated Saturday June 14th, 2008 4:24 pm

ONE HOUR NOTICE FOR POSSIBLE MANDATORY EVACUATION

Saturday, June 14, 2008 Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), N.S.... Due to the spreading fire, there is a one hour notice for a possible mandatory evacuation in effect for residents living in the following areas: Carter Romans Sub Division, Beach Breeze Estates, and Haylings Acres all off the Lawrencetown Road. Halifax RCMP District and Halifax Regional Fire are asking residents living in these areas to strongly consider leaving this area as an evacuation notice may come anytime and will have one hour to vacate their residence immediately.

All other areas remain under the mandatory evacuation which runs from Highway 107 south between West Porters Lake Road and Mineville Road to the Lawrencetown Road, the Wonderland Trailer Park in Lake Echo and Two Rivers Sub Division.

Highway 107 Exits 17 though 19 remain closed, highways 7 and 207.

Cpl. Joe Taplin
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Halifax District
Media Relations Officer
1975 Gottingen St.
Halifax, N.S. B3J 2H1

Updated Saturday June 14th, 2008 4:00 pm

HRM and DNR Fire Unit Crews are working on hot spots in the woods. We anticipate re-opening Bailee and Janda Streets within the next few hours. An update will be made at 5:00 p.m.

Updated Saturday June 14th, 2008 3:58 pm

Update From Media Briefing

All previous closures and evacuations remain.

The following subdivisions in the Porters Lake, Lake Echo area are being notified to evacuate within one hour:

Hayling Acres
Beach Breeze Estates
Carters Roman Subdivision

The RCMP are beginning to initiate this process and residents are strongly advised to leave on their own accord. Please ensure medication, pets, and any necessary items are taken before you leave.

Bombers and Fire-fighters continue to battle the fires.

There is another media briefing scheduling for 7:00 pm tonight.

Updated Saturday June 14th, 2008 12:29 pm

There has been an additional area evacuated - THE TWO RIVERS SUBDIVISION - This includes:

Deerwood Dr
Stone Creek Dr
Two Rivers Dr
Beth Court
Dempster Cres

Updated Saturday June 14th, 2008 11:54 am

The evacuation zone has been EXTENDED to now include Wonderland Trailer Park and Mountain View Trailer Park:

Therefore the following streets are to be evacuated:

Circle Dr
Church Lake Drive
Bashful Ave
Grumpy Lane
Mountain View Dr
River Road
Happy Drive
Kings Way
Sleepy Drive

For people who have left prescription drugs behind - You can register with the red cross by calling HRM at 490-4000 and please contact your pharmacy as well.

For people who have left pets behind - at this time people cannot enter the evacuation zone and we must continue to wait until the situation is safe.

Updated Saturday June 14th, 2008 11:10 am

The fire is still not in control. HRM Fire Services, Natural Resources, RCMP and Red Cross are responding. Available Evacuation centres are:

Seaforth Community Hall, 6060 Hwy #207
Cole Harbour Place, Forest Hills Parkway

There will be a media briefing at 1 pm at Cole Harbour Place

Updated Friday June 13th, 2008 9:50 pm

ADDITIONAL EVACUATION CENTRES OPEN FOR EVACUEES

Friday, June 13, 2008 Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), N.S....Additional evacuation centres are now open for residents that have left their homes in the Porters Lake and Lake Echo areas. The available centres are as follows:

For further updates, the public is being asked to call the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000. Additionally, residents that have evacuated their homes can call the Centre where volunteers from the Red Cross will track their names for those inquiring about the well being of friends and family.

-30-

Cpl. Joe Taplin
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Halifax District
Media Relations Officer
1975 Gottingen St.
Halifax, N.S. B3J 2H1

Updated Friday June 13th, 2008

Additional Evacuation Centre Open in Tantallon

(Friday, June 13, 2008)— An additional evacuation centre is now open for residents in the Tantallon area:

SeventhDay Adventist Church adjacent to Longers Rd., Tantallon

For further updates, the public is asked to call the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000. Additionally, residents that have evacuated their homes can call the Centre where volunteers from the Red Cross will track their names for those inquiring about the well being of friends and family.

James Campbell
HRM Corporate Communications
490-6531

Updated Friday June 13th, 2008 6:32pm

EVACUATION CENTRES AVAILABLE

Friday, June 13, 2008 Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), N.S....RCMP Halifax District are informing residents of the following evacuation centres:

West side of Porters Lake: Cole Harbour Place, Forest Hill Parkway
East side of Porters Lake: Seaforth Community Hall, 6060 Hwy 207

RCMP and Halifax Regional Fire are asking residents to keep away from the Porters Lake and Lake Echo areas due to the spreading of a large brush fire. Efforts to contain the fire are continuing.

The mandatory evacuation remains in effect.

-30-

Cpl. Joe Taplin
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Halifax District
Media Relations Officer
1975 Gottingen St.

Updated Friday June 13th, 2008 @5:27 pm

Friday, June 13, 2008 Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), N.S....Due to the spreading of a large brush fire, there is a mandatory evacuation in effect for residents living in the following areas: from Mineville Road to West Porters Lake Road and East of Highway 107 (Lawrencetown Road) including Candy Mountain Road. RCMP Halifax District and Halifax Regional Fire are asking residents living in these areas to please leave their homes immediately.

Please note, any students that were at O'Connell Drive Elementary at the time of the evacuation are now at Lakeview School in Porters Lake. RCMP are asking parents to arrive in person to pick up their children as they will not be allowing any individuals, other than parents, to pick up the students.

Highway 107 Exits 17 though 19 remain closed.