Evacuation order lifted around Mooseland Road wildlife

Residents forced to evacuate because of the explosive growth last week of the Mooseland Road wildfire were told Sunday morning that they are able to return to their homes. More than properties were affected when the evacuation order was issued Thursday night. That followed the fire jumping the road in the community of Jacket Lake after the wind changed direction, with the fire growing from seven hectares to 300 in a matter of hours. The fire is now estimated to be 1,447 hectares in size, and is listed as being held. That means it isn’t expected to grow beyond its current perimeter. That number is higher than the 1,386 reported Saturday, but the Department of Natural Resources says that’s a result of the fire being more accurately mapped as conditions improved. The designation follows a good soaking of rain from a system that crossed over the province Saturday night into Sunday. Halifax Regional Municipality said Sunday morning that while the evacuation order is no longer in effect, the wildfire is still burning and the area remains an active fire scene. Barricades are in place between civic numbers 2887 and 2124 Mooseland Road. There are no homes within that area, but firefighters are using it as a staging area and helicopter landing zone. Residents who live north of the fire near 2887 Mooseland Road will need to re-enter via Highway 224 at the Middle Musquodoboit end. Residents who live south of the fire near 2124 Mooseland Road will need to re-enter via Highway 7 at the Sheet Harbour end. There will be no access for drivers through the barricaded area until DNR can safely operate in the area with traffic on the road. Crews with DNR and Halifax are still working to bring the fire fully under control and get it to the stage where it can be deemed extinguished. With residents able to return home, the two evacuation centres at Musquodoboit Rural High School and Marine Drive Academy are have closed. The registration line has also been closed. HRM said residents are advised to monitor current air quality conditions through Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index for Halifax. HRM said residents in the surrounding area should be prepared to evacuate if conditions change.