More Evacuees of Long Lake Wildfires Can Return Home September 16

Press Release

15 September 2025

More people evacuated because of the Long Lake wildfires in Annapolis County will be able to return home Tuesday, September 16.

The re-entry area includes 17 primary residential addresses:

• 8 and 28 Spectacle Lake Rd.
• 122 Medicraft Lane
• from 5606 to 6160 West Dalhousie Rd.

Residents are to arrive at the checkpoint at Thorne Road and West Dalhousie Road, with access from Highway 10, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. with a valid piece of identification proving their civic address for re-entry.

“We are so grateful for the hard work being done by everyone involved in the Long Lake wildfires response. It’s reassuring that more residents can return to their homes on Tuesday,” said Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management. “For those still waiting to return home, we know this has been a long road for you – your patience and resiliency is unmatched. Please know we are working as hard as we can to bring you home safely.”

The decision to allow people to go back to their homes is based on an assessment of current fire behaviour, air quality and road access by the Department of Natural Resources. The Department changed the status of the wildfire to being held on September 8. That means the fire is not likely to grow or move as long as conditions do not change. It is still not under control and could still grow if conditions change, but the risk is low for the area where residents are allowed to return.

For those residents returning, power will be restored once people are back in their homes. Waste collection will happen at 9 a.m. on Monday, September 22. Residents are also advised to:

• drive with caution as fire crews may still be working in the area
• be aware of air quality advisories and limit exposure if sensitive to smoke
• check the home for damage before re-entering
• residents should remain prepared to evacuate should fire behaviour change.

A state of local emergency remains in place in the county. Residents returning home must be aware of the evacuation order in place for areas near their properties. Only designated staff responding to the wildfires are allowed to access these areas because it is still an active wildfire and it is unsafe. Security measures remain in place throughout the evacuated areas.

The following areas remain under evacuation orders and are not yet safe for re-entry:

• all of Heartland Road
• Medicraft Lane, except for the residence listed above
• Thorne Road, except for the two addresses on last week’s re-entry list.

The County of Annapolis is working with residents who have seasonal properties in the area to arrange visits at a later date.

Quotes:

“Tuesday is another hopeful step forward as more residents return to their primary homes. We know seasonal property owners are also eager to see their places; however, the work that is still underway makes it challenging to allow full re-entry at this time. A site visit will be arranged soon, and limiting traffic right now is important for everyone’s safety. I’m grateful to the Province, our community partners and especially our evacuees for their patience and co-operation. Please know we will continue to stand with you – for as long as you need us.”
— Diane LeBlanc, Warden, County of Annapolis

Quick Facts:

• the Long Lake wildfires complex is being held and currently estimated at 8,468 hectares, or more than 84 square kilometres (a wildfire complex is several fires that are being managed by one incident management team with resources being moved between them as necessary)
• about 90 addresses remain under an evacuation order
• an emergency financial support program is available for those displaced from their primary residence, based on the number of days evacuated
• emergencies are stressful and can be overwhelming; mental health and well-being resources available to support people are listed at the end of this release
• Nova Scotians are encouraged to watch for regular, official updates on provincial government social media accounts and the emergency alerts and information web page

Additional Resources:

Latest information on Long Lake wildfires complex (provincial emergency alerts and information web page): https://novascotia.ca/alerts/

Wildfire updates from the County of Annapolis: https://annapoliscounty.ca/government/news-media-releases/2200-west-dalhousie-wildfires-update

Returning home after the wildfire evacuation: https://annapoliscounty.ca/images/2025/REMO/Hoyt_Lake_Wildfire/Non_Effected_Wildfire_Evacuation_Re-Entry.pdf

Financial support for evacuees: https://novascotia.ca/wildfire-support/

Assistance for evacuees in navigating supports: https://annapoliscounty.ca/government/news-media-releases/2204-west-dalhousie-wildfires-evacuees-registration

News release – Re-Entry Begins for Some Evacuees of Long Lake Wildfires: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/02/re-entry-begins-some-evacuees-long-lake-wildfires

News release – More Evacuees of Long Lake Wildfires Can Return Home; Fire Status Changed to Held: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/08/more-evacuees-long-lake-wildfires-can-return-home-fire-status-changed-held

Department of Natural Resources on X: https://x.com/NS_DNR

Department of Emergency Management: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NSEmergency X: https://x.com/NSEmergency

Province of Nova Scotia: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nsgov X: https://x.com/nsgov Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nsgov/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nsgov.bsky.social

Emergency mental healthcare is available at the toll-free numbers below or a hospital emergency department:

• provincial mental health and addictions crisis line: 1-888-429-8167 (available 24 hours a day)
• national suicide crisis helpline: 988 (24 hours)
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 (24 hours)
• Hope for Wellness Helpline (Indigenous): 1-800-777-5888

Support with a mental health or addiction concern is available through the provincial mental health and addictions intake service at 1-855-922-1122 or https://accesswellness.lifeworks.com/nova-scotia-en.html

IHT4