The Wildfires that destroyed more than 200 homes in the HRM and in Shelburne county are officially extinguished.

The wildfire in Shelburne County was first announced on May 27 and would grow to a staggering 23,525 hectares, making it the largest in the province’s history.

The fire caused the evacuation of 3,200 homes, displacing 6,700 people — roughly half of Shelburne County’s population. An estimated 60 homes and 150 structures were destroyed.

On May 28, a second wildfire broke out in the neighbourhood of Westwood Hills, displacing 16,000 people and destroying 150 homes in Upper Tantallon and Hammonds Plains.

Both fires were likely caused by humans. Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said his department has handed over its evidence to the RCMP and there is still an ongoing investigation being done. 

 

 

Public Health is currently investigating cases of Legionella among residents and a staff member at Glen Haven Manor in New Glasgow. Currently there are three lab confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease, nine probable cases of Legionnaires’ disease, and one probable case of Pontiac fever. A significant proportion are presently hospitalised in relation to their illness.

‘Legionella pneumophila’ is a bacteria commonly found in Nova Scotia’s waterways that can cause respiratory infections which includes Pontiac fever and Legionnaires’ disease. The source of most Legionella infections is breathing the mist from a contaminated water source, such as hot water systems -such as showers- or air conditioning cooling towers.

Legionella cannot be spread from person to person, and the risk to the general public is very low.

Public Health is coordinating with the Department of Environment and Climate Change to undertake environmental testing of the water at Glen Haven Manor, which will help determine next steps for the facility.

 

 

Six-year-old Natalie Hazel Harnish, six-year-old Colton Sisco and 52-year-old Nicholas Anthony Holland have been named as the three victims that were recovered after the flash flooding in West Hants. 

Four people, including Holland, Harnish, Sisco and a youth under the age of 18, were reported missing Saturday after the vehicles they were travelling in were swept off the road and submerged by floodwaters while evacuating.

The bodies of the two children and the 52-year old were discovered this week.

Search efforts continue for the missing youth that was travelling with Nicholas Holland.

 

 

The Municipality of Pictou County is providing money to help cover some of the costs of constructing an outdoor pickleball court in River John.

Council for the MOPC has approved almost $38,000 in funding for the River John Pickleball Club to help complete the construction of the three-court outdoor facility.

Warden Robert Parker said the Municipality of the County of Pictou is pleased to be a major financial contributor towards the construction of the facility.

The River John Pickleball Society also received $60K in funding from the provincial government as well as $25,000 from the federal government for the project.

The pickleball courts are being constructed on the grounds of the River John Legion and are expected to be completed by late summer.