Efforts from crews save memorial, buildings from Annapolis County wildfire

Hard work by firefighters on the ground and in the air has led to crews saving multiple buildings from the province’s largest wildfire.

The Long Lake blaze in Annapolis County was sparked by lightning after a group of storms went through the West Dalhousie area. Since then, crews have tirelessly tackled the fire in dry, hot conditions that only stoked the flames.

The week of Aug. 18, teams got a little bit of reprieve from the weather, as the winds died down and a cool front passed through. This, experts from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said, allowed crews several days to manage the fire and make sure it didn’t grow beyond its estimated 3,212 hectares.

As Hurricane Erin passes the province, its winds are expected to blow through Annapolis County, bringing with it fears that the wildfire could grow.

However, the dozens of people battling its advance have spent the last several days trying to give themselves the best shot at curbing its spread.

Below is a collection of photos provided by the Province of Nova Scotia, showcasing the work crews have done over the last week.