'Out of Control' Brush Fire at Canada's Porters Lake Prompts Evacuation of Some 1,000 Residents

Around 1,000 residents of the Halifax Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada, were forced out of their homes after an evacuation order amid Saturday's wildfire in the region of Porters Lake Road. According to the Nova Scotia Department of Land and Forestry, the fire broke out at 12:30 local time (16:30 GMT) north of Highway 107 and jumped the highway between Exit 18 and 19, heading south toward the Atlantic coast. 

"It's a fire out of control, and we have helicopters and personnel trying to contain it right now", Nova Scotia forest protection manager Jim Rudderham said.

Residents on neighbouring Candy Mountain Road in Mineville, NS have been warned to prepare to leave, as the evacuation perimeter may be expanded, according to a Halifax Fire release.

​Three helicopters, alongside Land and Forestry crew and Halifax firefighters, are on site, attempting to contain the fire, which has covered over 40 hectares and is said to be growing.

Videos from the site were shared on social media following the evacuation order.

A part of Highway 107 has been closed to traffic, and the public have asked to avoid the area. No casualties have been reported.

This is the second large fire in Nova Scotia in recent days, following Friday's forest fire in Chester Grant, NS, that decimated 27 hectares.