Halifax Forest Fires

Well for once you could say the weather kind of cooperated and helped us out...sorta...today brought some rain to help fight the brush fires burning in Spryfield outside of Halifax. However, along with the rain we had some high winds as well, which fanned the flames, but there was some good news, in even the wind. Apparently the wind direction turned the fire back towards the areas that were already burned over, leaving no fuel for the fire to continue. That, plus the rain, plus the unceasing efforts of the brave fire-fighters and pilots dropping water helped to quell the fires.

Some residents are getting back to their properties and some, sadly, aren't finding much to go back to as several homes were ultimately lost.

This is the second major fire we've had in less than a year that has cost someone a home and more. Many factors go towards the creation and ongoing burning of a forest fire, one of which is dry fuel to burn and since Hurricane Juan, there apparently is lots of dry fuel left in the forests around the edge of town. I realize that this is not something easily dealt with, however, given the cost, not doing something about this is a problem as there is no doubt we will have more fires, the only questions are where and when.

I think it's time the HRM and the Province get together and discuss solutions to what is a dangerous situation. Perhaps we need to get crews in the woods where the hurricane damage left lots of dead and dry branches and trees and get them cleaned up. With unemployment always an issue in this country, here is a chance to offer some meaningful work, and probably lots of it. The wood could be cut up and used either for firewood, wood chips etc or whatever, as long as it gets cleaned up.

I realize that there are hectares and hectares of forest needing this kind of attention, but the areas around subdivisions, homes etc could be targeted first. Get in and get it cleaned up, the forests will be better for it as well, ane new growth will be encouraged. It's time to be proactive before more folks lose their homes or their lives.

What do you think? Could some of this be cleaned up?