The Lake George wildfire burns near Aylesford, N.S., in this Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Province of Nova Scotia (Mandatory Credit)
The Lake George wildfire burns near Aylesford, N.S., in this Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Province of Nova Scotia (Mandatory Credit)
AYLESFORD - Unseasonably warm temperatures proved challenging Monday as the fight against an out-of-control wildfire in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley entered its second week.
The Department of Natural Resources estimated that the fire at Lake George had grown slightly in 24 hours to just over 2.8 square kilometres, mainly because of dry and windy conditions.
Monday's forecast for the area near Aylesford, N.S., called for a high of 28 C 鈥 the average daily high in the region for October is normally below 15 C.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe it 鈥 in October we normally get frost and cold,鈥 Dave Corkum, mayor of the Municipality of the County of Kings, said in an interview. 鈥淭here is some rain in the forecast in a few days and hopefully we will get it.鈥
Despite the conditions, Corkum said there are no reports of damage to structures in the area around Lake George and the west side of Aylesford Lake. Officials said the fire is burning deep in the ground and crews were working to protect homes, cottages and other structures.
Ninety-seven firefighters were at the scene, including 39 from British Columbia, along with six airplanes, six helicopters and 18 pieces of heavy equipment. The fire broke out on Sept. 28 and at one point officials classified it as being held, before high winds quickly led to the fire growing out of control again.
Dan Stovel, an emergency measures official with the municipality, said 353 civic addresses have been evacuated to date, including around 79 permanent addresses. 鈥淭here have been no additional evacuation alerts or orders,鈥 Stovel said in an interview, adding that winds are expected to push fire activity in a more favourable northeasterly direction over the next day or so.
鈥淚t鈥檚 back over burned ground so we will have to see how that goes,鈥 Stovel said.
Meanwhile, Corkum said 391 people from 205 households have registered with the 好色tv Red Cross at a shelter in New Minas, N.S., although only three people are staying at the facility. 鈥淢ost of the people are staying in motels or with family and friends,鈥 the mayor said.
Corkum said officials have also been warning people to 鈥渟tay the heck out of the evacuation areas.鈥
鈥淯nfortunately we鈥檝e got to keep reminding people to stay out of the woods, stop lighting fires and stop travelling to get close and have a look,鈥 he said.
This report by 好色tvwas first published Oct. 6, 2025.