Halifax-area wildfires 100% contained, says province
CBC
After a week of devastating damage, the wildfires in the Halifax area are now 100 per cent contained, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
In a release Sunday, DNR officials said the Tantallon-Westwood Hills fire is now at an estimated 950 hectares. Nearly 80 firefighters remain on scene.
With the help of steady rain, fire crews were able to bring the fire to 85 per cent containment on Saturday.
The fire damaged or destroyed 150 homes and more than 200 structures since it broke out last weekend.
A much smaller wildfire in Hammonds Plains, at just four hectares, is also contained, according to Sunday's update.
The Halifax Regional Municipality announced in a release on Sunday that residents in "areas of significant impact" may visit the Canada Games Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to see photos of damaged properties and speak with municipal staff about the status of their homes. Major insurance companies will also be on site.
The city said it is preparing for transition to the "recovery phase" and is planning to return evacuated residents back to the area as soon "as it is safe to do so."
But those in the area of significant impact may still be unable to return for several days, the city said, pending the completion of safety assessments.
Halifax Regional Municipality is using powers granted by the state of local emergency to install two permanent emergency exits in the Haliburton Hills and Highland Park subdivisions.
The Haliburton Hills exit, which will connect the Buckingham Drive to Highway 103 is already under construction.
The clearing in Highland Park, which will go from the end of Sylvania Terrace to the Hammonds Plains Road, will begin once it is safe to do so, officials say.
Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Deputy Chief David Meldrum and David Steeves, a DNR forest resources technician, will provide a briefing at 5 p.m. Sunday
According to the city, this will be the last scheduled update at the command post unless conditions change.
Multiple major B.C. Ferries sailings have been cancelled for Christmas Day due to an incoming storm.
As Dr. Hai Nguyen entered the operating room last week, he couldn't shake the feeling of performing in front of an audience.
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham has a prediction: some day, a Manitoba premier will agree to create a new funding formula for cities that includes some form of growth revenue.
Children and seniors in the community of Qu'Appelle, Sask., excitedly packaged up food hampers this holiday season.
It's Christmas on P.E.I., a time to reflect, gather with family and friends, and hopefully eat lots of delicious food after the gifts are unwrapped.
Premier Danielle Smith will attend the second inauguration of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump in January, her office has confirmed.
Multiple major B.C. Ferries sailings have been cancelled for Christmas Day due to an incoming storm.
Multiple major B.C. Ferries sailings have been cancelled for Christmas Day due to an incoming storm.
A 51-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a man in North York earlier this month, Toronto police say.
Canada's premiers are calling on the federal government to extend the deadline for claiming charitable donations on tax returns through to the end of February.
Premier Danielle Smith will attend the second inauguration of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump in January, her office has confirmed.