Uncertainty remains for Halifax-area evacuees as wildfire 100 per cent contained

A wildfire that tore through homes and businesses in the Halifax area is 100 per cent contained, but a historic fire in southwestern Nova Scotia remains out of control.

In the days since he lost his home in the wildfires that swept through his Halifax-area subdivision, Dwayne Melnick has had a mission to focus on: find a place to stay. Speak to insurance companies and contractors. Begin making a list of belongings for insurance purposes.

Focusing, he said, helps him keep moving forward.

"I'm retired military of a long career, so I'm able to focus on the mission," he said in a phone interview. "But at a certain point the emotions take over as well. So it comes and goes."

Officials said Sunday the wildfire that tore through the Halifax area is 100 per cent contained. Nova Scotia's natural resources department said the Tantallon fire northwest of the provincial capital's downtown is now under control, meaning it is not expected to grow but is not yet out.

But for the thousands of residents who were forced from their homes, uncertainty and questions remain.

Melnick said he has no doubt that he wants to rebuilt his home. But he's not sure how long it will take, even though he's already started to speak with contractors.

"I know there has to be a lot of environmental procedures to take place first before they can even look at breaking ground or tearing down the old foundation," he said. "But like I said, I got an early jump on things just to stay focused."