Some residents returning home after forest fire evacuation in Musquodoboit Harbour, N.S.

A forest fire burning in Musquodoboit Harbour - 60 kilometres east of Halifax - is pictured from the air on June 22, 2025. (Courtesy: Keigan Miller)

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is recommending that some residents return home following a forest fire evacuation in Musquodoboit Harbour, about 60 kilometres east of Halifax, Sunday afternoon.

The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) said residents in the following areas can return home starting at 8 p.m. Sunday:

• Ostrea Lake Road, from Civic # 320, northwards, up to Hwy. 7
• Birchwood Lane
• Lailia Lane
• Sunset Lane

The evacuation order remains in effect for:

• Ostrea Lake Road, from Civic # 320 to the south, as far as Civic # 655 (the next nearest property to Civic # 607)
• Reflection Lane
• Heselton Drive

The RCMP have reopened Hwy. 7, but advised officers remain in the area to be ready to close roads if conditions change, according to an HRM news release.

An evacuation centre is opening at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour — the same location that earlier served as a comfort centre. Registration begins at 8 p.m. and the centre will open at 10 p.m.

Food, water and overnight accommodations will be provided and needs will be identified at the centre, said HRM.

Fire crews from both DNR and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency (HRFE) will continue fighting the fire until dark, the municipality said.

Halifax Professional Fire Fighters (HPFF) said in a social media post that rain arrived in the area around 7 p.m.

“The situation has stabilized, and resources are now being gradually released from the scene,” the post said.

The RCMP said it assisted DNR and HRFE crews in the response. Officers evacuated residents from Ostrea Lake Road between the 600 block and nearby roads leading to Highway 7, according to an RCMP post shared at 3:05 p.m. Sunday.

“The fire conditions are serious, fuelled by thick brush, dry vegetation, and gusty winds,” HPFF president Brendan Meagher said in a statement issued about an hour before the rain began. “Crews have been pulled from the woods for safety and are now focused on structure protection.”

HRM previously opened a comfort centre at the Eastern Shore Community Centre at 5 p.m. Sunday.

In a post shared around 3:20 p.m., the HPFF said the fire had covered an estimated 35 hectares and was threatening homes. They later said the fire had grown to between 38 and 40 hectares.

The fire was first reported at 1:22 p.m., according to another HPFF post at approximately 3:45 p.m. They said it had “grown rapidly and remains out of control.”

Police closed the highway to traffic between Pond Road and Strike Lane and advised people to avoid the area.

Residents living near the fire are advised to close windows and doors and turn off air exchangers until air quality improves.

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