Long Lake Fire Being Held

USPA NEWS - Resources today include 11 helicopters, 4 planes with bird dog, about 7 pieces of heavy equipment. 40 DNR, 18 Ontario, 60 Quebec firefighters, plus support staff.

The Long Lake wildfires complex is still being held at 8,468 hectares. Crews are making progress, working inward from the edges of the fire zone. They're seeking out fire burning underground, dousing tree roots, soil, mosses etc, working on buffers around areas that haven't burned.

Crews are taking a systematic approach to ensure populated areas are safe again. They are working around properties, checking for ash pits that could burn people or animals that walk on them, and taking down unstable trees. Removal of downed power poles and lines is also ongoing.

Halifax Water warns that mandatory water conservation measures may be implemented this week due to persistently low water levels at Halifax's Pockwock Lake and Dartmouth's Lake Major. This issue is trending throughout the entire region.

The utility had recommended that customers decrease their water consumption by shortening showers, running full laundry loads, and refraining from washing vehicles, watering lawns, or filling pools. Nonetheless, Halifax Water reports that it has not observed a considerable decline in demand.

Halifax Water had cautioned that if voluntary conservation efforts proved inadequate, restrictions would be implemented, and officials now indicate that mandatory conservation measures may be inevitable. The utility also advises that residents who disregard the rules may face penalties or even have their service terminated.