Officials in Kings County are urging individuals to refrain from entering mandatory evacuation areas as the Lake George wildfire continues to rage uncontrollably. Dave Corkum, mayor of the Municipality of the County of Kings, emphasized the importance of avoiding these zones for personal safety and the well-being of first responders. The fire, as per the latest update from the Department of Natural Resources, is intensifying and has expanded to 288 hectares, without any reported structural damages.
The ongoing firefighting efforts involve a significant deployment of resources, including 35 Department of Natural Resources personnel, 23 local firefighters, 39 from British Columbia, two planes from Newfoundland and Labrador, four from the Northwest Territories, six helicopters, and 18 heavy machinery units. With temperatures expected to soar into the high 20s in Kings County, Corkum expressed concerns about the dry conditions and potential wind exacerbating the situation.
Over 350 residences and vacation homes in the vicinity of Lake George and the western part of Aylesford Lake have been evacuated. Corkum disclosed that 205 households have registered at the Red Cross evacuation center, but only a few individuals have required overnight accommodations, with most opting to stay with relatives or in hotels. Notably, residents in the evacuation zones have not been permitted to return to their properties.
On a positive note, the Baxters Harbour fire, a smaller blaze that emerged in Kings County over the weekend, has been successfully contained. The Department of Natural Resources confirmed the fire’s suppression, attributing the swift action taken to manage the situation effectively.
