GUYSBOROUGH COUNTY — As the Long Lake wildfire in Annapolis County continued to expand under dry conditions and shifting winds from Hurricane Erin last week, emergency officials in Guysborough County were reminding residents that preparedness is the best defence against sudden evacuation orders.
Across the county, municipal leaders and emergency coordinators say that while there is no immediate threat in the local area, the risk of wildfire remains high. They say to act now rather than wait until flames are visible.
“For residents, the most important advice right now is to be proactive,” said Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) Warden Paul Long. “We encourage people to stay informed by following official municipal websites, social media channels, and signing up for our emergency alert notification system, Voyent Alert. Always be aware of potential emergency evacuation routes, and specific instructions and information will be given in official alerts, if and when an evacuation occurs.”
Long urged residents to assemble 72-hour emergency kits with food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash, important documents and pet supplies. He also emphasized the importance of family planning.
“Develop a family plan, which includes how to reunite if separated and who to contact outside the area in case local communications go down,” Long said. “Check on neighbours and vulnerable community members who may need extra support during an evacuation, and follow official guidance from municipal or provincial authorities and avoid relying on unofficial social media posts.”
By combining municipal readiness with personal preparedness, Long said, “communities are better positioned to respond quickly and safely if evacuation procedures need to be put in place.”
In the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s, Jadzia Rudolph, emergency management coordinator, said the situation across Nova Scotia has underscored the need to keep local plans up to date.
“In light of the ongoing fires in Nova Scotia, we’ve been reviewing and reinforcing our emergency management protocols across the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s,” she said. “While there is currently no immediate evacuation order in place for our area, we are taking proactive steps to ensure readiness should the situation change.”
Rudolph explained that St. Mary’s maintains a formal municipal emergency management plan, with clear evacuation routes, comfort centres, emergency shelters and communication protocols. The EMO team, consisting of section chiefs for operations, planning, logistics and finance, meets regularly to test and update response plans. Coordination happens closely with provincial authorities and first responders.
The municipality is also urging residents to sign up for Voyent Alert. Residents can register by calling the municipal office or contacting Rudolph.
“We’re encouraging all residents to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit, have a personal evacuation plan in place, and monitor official channels for updates,” she said. “Staying informed and prepared is the key to safety.”
For the Town of Mulgrave, where the emergency measures organization is closely tied to the local fire department, EMO coordinator Lorne MacDonald said wildfire awareness is front of mind.
“It’s crazy times around,” MacDonald said. “The Long Lake fire, with the winds from that hurricane, it might make that fire go farther with no rain coming.”
Mulgrave’s fire crews are on constant watch, MacDonald added, and residents have become more cautious in recent weeks. If evacuation were ever needed, the town has multiple exit strategies.
“We have three ways out by road – the 344 towards the 104, the 344 down toward Guysborough on the 316, and then there’s the Old Mulgrave Road that takes you back out toward Mattie Settlement and the 316,” he said. “And, if you really get stranded, we have the port so you could get out by ship if you had to. Knock on wood…”
MacDonald said residents should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, with medications, passports, medical records and pet supplies packed in advance.
“We always promote being prepared for 72 hours,” he said. “Take the stuff with you that you need … and make sure you take your pets with you, too. Because you never know once you leave if you’ll be getting back in for a while. Be prepared, because you never know when this could happen. That’s the sad reality… it could happen any time. Have luggage and emergency kits all ready to go.”
Having a place to go is equally important, he added.
“Have a plan of where you’re going to stay – relatives, hotels, a fire hall,” MacDonald said. “Port Hawkesbury has a civic centre that people could end up going to.”
The Canadian Red Cross has also been stepping up awareness efforts as fire conditions intensify across Nova Scotia. The organization has been sharing safety tips widely on social media and hosting a disaster preparedness virtual learning series, which MODG has been promoting. It offers residents practical advice on how to protect themselves and their families during wildfires and other emergencies.
Among the Red Cross’s top recommendations: prepare a 72-hour kit, know multiple evacuation routes, arrange transportation for vulnerable family members, and make sure pets are included in any evacuation plan. The group stresses the importance of staying tuned to official channels and not delaying if an evacuation order is given.
