Latest news with #MusquodoboitHarbour
CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
Nova Scotia nature reserve gets bigger thanks to new partnership with climbing group
There aren't many outdoor climbing sites in Nova Scotia, so when a group of dedicated climbers found one in Musquodoboit Harbour, they wanted to make sure it would stay open and protected. Jamie Simpson, board member with Climb Nova Scotia, said the people often use the Musquodoboit trails to reach the climbing rocks, and the group wanted to preserve the area. 'We were concerned it could be bought up and developed,' Simpson said. 'We were quite concerned the climbers would lose access to this property.' Simpson reached out to the Nature Conservancy of Canada about a possible partnership over the land, which ultimately led to the expansion of the Musquodoboit River Valley Nature Reserve. 'Climb Nova Scotia came to us with this idea,' said Dave Ireland, Nova Scotia program director with the Nature Conservancy. 'Without community partners, we can't do what we do. They're eager to steward this land.' Musquodoboit nature reserve The Musquodoboit River Valley Nature Reserve spans several wetlands. (Source: Andrew Herygers) (Andrew Herygers) Twenty-six hectares have been added to the nature reserve, bringing the total to more than 300 hectares. The new partnership includes the Nature Conservancy, Climb Nova Scotia and the Musquodoboit Trailway Association, which watches over five trails in the area. 'We're excited to be able to provide more opportunities for climbers, hikers, and all trail users to take part in active transportation activities and enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds us in Musquodoboit Harbour and the larger community,' said Craig McCrea, chair of the Trailway Association, in a news release. 'We look forward to maintaining stewardship of this land in tandem with CNS and thank them and NCC for their efforts and work on this exciting accomplishment.' Ireland said the expansion of the nature reserve is crucial for wildlife as it improves the connectivity between different spots across the region. 'Connectivity is really important to biodiversity, making sure animals have a way to move from A to B,' he said. 'This property adds to this puzzle.' Musquodoboit River Valley Nature Reserve A section of the Musquodoboit River Valley Nature Reserve is pictured. (Source: Andrew Herygers) (Andrew Herygers) According to the Nature Conservancy, the Musquodoboit reserve features an abundance of wetlands and riparian ecosystems that provide habitats for at-risk species such as snapping turtles and the freshwater pearl mussel. It also borders the Musquodoboit River, which is one of the most ecologically rich rivers in central Nova Scotia. 'The Musquodoboit River Valley has some critters that aren't found anywhere else,' Ireland said. 'There are some old growth trees, warblers, bear tracks, deer tracks. It's a bustling place for wildlife.' Ireland said the land on the nature reserve will be protected from development in perpetuity. He notes Nova Scotia's goal of protecting 20 per cent of its land and water by 2030 is achievable and something the Nature Conservancy is working towards. 'There is still more opportunity to conserve land around the Musquodoboit River Valley Nature Reserve,' the news release says. 'Nature conservation flourishes through partnerships and the involvement of community members and landowners. In the face of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change, nature is our ally.' For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
23-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Forest fire on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore did not grow overnight: Natural Resources
Firefighters are back on the scene of a forest fire burning on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore this morning, as some homes in the area remain evacuated. Crew were called to the fire along Ostrea Lake Road near Musquodoboit Harbour, about 50 kilometres northeast of Halifax, on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters were initially pulled from the forest due to dry, gusty conditions, and were redirected to focus on protecting structures. But following some rain Sunday evening, the Natural Resources Department said the fire was being held at 30 hectares and crews would resume battling the blaze on Monday. Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection with Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources, said the fire did not grow overnight and 20 department staff members are on site this morning. He said no structures have been lost. "They did a great job to contain it," Tingley told CBC's Informing Morning Nova Scotia on Monday. "Their biggest challenge in there is kind of the scrubby, rough terrain. On the ground it's slow going. They've had to cut a lot of trails for crew safety … but they are making progress and getting hose around the fire." Tingley said the four to five millimetres of rain received over the area Sunday evening did help. Tankers with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency are also on scene and a helicopter is on standby. He said crews will be focused on extinguishing hot spots today. Conservation officers will also be on hand to try to determine the cause of the blaze. Dozens of nearby homes were evacuated due to the fire, but the Halifax Regional Municipality said some people will be allowed to return home Sunday evening. An evacuation order remains in place for Reflection Lane, Heselton Drive and Ostrea Lake Road from civic number 320 to the south as far as civic number 655. An evacuation centre was set up at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour. The Halifax Regional Municipality has advised those close to the fire to shut all windows and doors, turn off air exchangers and stay inside until air quality improves.
CBC
22-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Some evacuees heading home as forest fire on Eastern Shore slows
A forest fire is still burning on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore, but the union representing Halifax firefighters says they've made headway as rain continues to fall in the area. The RCMP, Halifax Fire and Emergency and the Department of Natural Resources have been on the scene of a forest fire along Ostrea Lake Road, which is located near Musquodoboit Harbour, since Sunday afternoon. But in an update shared on Facebook around 7 p.m. Sunday, the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters association said the "situation has stabilized" and resources were being "gradually released from the scene." In an earlier statement, the association had described fire conditions are "serious, fuelled by thick brush, dry vegetation, and gusty winds." It said crews had been pulled from the woods for safety reasons and were focused on protecting structures. Many homes nearby were evacuated due to the fire, but the Halifax Regional Municipality said some people will be allowed to return home this evening. In a release issued around 7:30 p.m., the HRM said those living on Birchwood Lane, Lailia Lane, Sunset Lane, and Ostrea Lake Road from civic number 320 northwards to Highway 7, will be permitted to go back home after 8 p.m. An evacuation order remains in place for Reflection Lane, Heselton Drive, and Ostrea Lake Road from civic number 320 to the south as far as civic number 655. On Sunday afternoon, the Department of Natural Resources posted that the size of the fire was estimated at 35 hectares — an area about the size of 50 soccer fields. It said the department had 12 firefighters on the scene and a helicopter. The No. 7 highway was temporarily closed to traffic from Pond Road to Strike Lane, but has since reopened. Fire began around 1 p.m. According to David Hendsbee, the municipal councillor for the area, the fire began around 1 p.m. AT. He estimates at least 100 homes in the area have been evacuated. "I just ask people to be patient during this time," he said. "The RCMP and the fire department are doing the best they can do." An evacuation centre has been established at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour for those impacted by the fire. The Halifax Regional Municipality has advised those close to the fire should shut all windows and doors, turn off air exchangers and stay inside until air quality improves. Mike Palmer lives in a home affected by the evacuation order. He was out getting groceries when the order happened, so his partner has been alone gathering necessities before leaving. When Palmer spoke with CBC News, he said he wasn't allowed to go home despite being only 140 metres away from his front door. "I feel very stressed. I feel helpless," said Palmer, who moved to the area from Ontario six months ago. 'Definitely a forest fire I smelled,' says business owner Ronnie Poan owns a bowling alley, UnBOWLievable Lanes, located on Strike Lane. He said he could smell smoke around 1 p.m. AT. "I was thinking that's awful weird for somebody to have a fire in the house today because it's warm out, not because it's cold," he said. "But it was … definitely a forest fire I smelled." Poan said the bowling alley was holding a youth club banquet today. He said some people stayed behind because they couldn't head home with traffic only moving in one direction on Highway 7 before the road reopened. The public is being advised to avoid the area. A burn ban is currently in effect in Halifax County. Environment Canada is forecasting rain for the area until around 9 p.m. and says there's a chance of more showers overnight.
Globe and Mail
22-06-2025
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
Halifax forest fire prompts RCMP to evacuate Musquodoboit Harbour community
RCMP in Nova Scotia say they are helping evacuate some residents from Musquodoboit Harbour as they assist firefighters responding to an active forest fire in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Mounties issued a statement about the forest fire Sunday afternoon, asking residents to avoid the area about 45 kilometres east of downtown Halifax. People living between the 600 block of Ostrea Lake Road and Highway 7 and nearby adjacent roads have been asked to stay away. Nova Scotia's natural resources department issued a statement on social media Sunday afternoon saying the fire is estimated at 0.35 kilometres in size, and 12 of its firefighters and one helicopter are on scene assisting local fire departments. RCMP spokesperson Guillaume Tremblay was unable to comment on the status of the fire or say how many residents had been asked to leave their homes as of late Sunday afternoon. The Department of Natural Resources and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The union representing Halifax firefighters issued a statement on social media at 4:30 p.m., saying the fire continues to grow and is estimated to be between 0.38 and 0.4 square kilometres in size, and air support from the Department of Natural Resources is active. 'The fire conditions are serious, fuelled by thick brush, dry vegetation, and gusty winds. Crews have been pulled from the woods for safety and are now focused on structure protection,' a spokesperson with the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters said in an e-mailed statement to The Canadian Press. 'Our thoughts are with the residents affected and with the firefighters and police officers working to protect lives and property under extremely challenging conditions,' said the statement from Brent Williams. A comfort centre has been opened at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour. The Halifax Regional Municipality issued a statement saying residents who are close to the fire are advised to close all windows and doors, shut down air exchangers and stay inside until air quality conditions improve.
CTV News
22-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Forest fire evacuation underway in Musquodoboit Harbour, N.S.
A wildfire broke out in the area of Ostrea Lake, N.S., Sunday, June 22, 2025. (Source: Facebook/Halifax Professional Fire Fighters) RCMP is assisting the Department of Natural Resources and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency (HRFE) in response to a forest fire in Musquodoboit Harbour, said a post from RCMP Nova Scotia on social media. Officers are evacuating residents from Ostrea Lake Road, between the 600 block and adjoining roads to Hwy. 7, said the post at 3:05 p.m. Saturday. The Halifax Professional Fire Fighters (HPFF) said the fire covers an estimated 35 hectares and threatens homes, in a social media post at around 3:20 p.m. The fire was first reported at 1:22 p.m. it said in a second post at approximately 3:45 p.m. HPFF said the fire has 'grown rapidly and remains out of control.' HRFE crews are assigned to structure protection only and all firefighters have been ordered out of the woods for safety, said the second post. Current evacuated streets include: Birchwood Lane Lailia Lane Reflection Lane Heselton Drive In an update police said the highway is closed to traffic from Pond Road to Strike Lane and traffic delays should be expected while evacuation efforts continue. Police told people not to enter the area in the post. More to come… For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
