Upper Hammonds Plains believed to be spared from wildfire damage thus far: Pastor Lennett Anderson [AUDIO]
As a wildfire continues to burn in the areas of Tantallon and Hammonds Plains, Pastor Lennett Anderson of Emmanuel Baptist Church said he believes there is, thus far, no fire damage to any homes or structures in the Black community of Upper Hammonds Plains.
“Today they’re reporting over 200 homes [damaged] in the Hammonds Plains, Tantallon region. Thankfully no damage is being heard of in the community of Upper Hammonds Plains. But the smoke has really built up today,” said Anderson.
“Overwhelmed is the word I would use. Overwhelmed by the support, the love, the concern, thoughtfulness, but also by the brokenness. A lot of loss.”
Anderson spoke Tuesday briefly with Black Nova Scotia News on his way into Rock Church in Lower Sackville to help distribute food to those displaced by the fire.
Emmanuel Baptist Church announced on its Facebook page Tuesday that food was being sent from Black communities in the Preston Township to help support community members from the Black communities of Upper Hammonds Plains and nearby Lucasvlle who have been displaced by the wildfire.
“R&B Kitchen has also committed to meals and other restaurants over the next few days,” the post also read.
On Monday, Pastor Rhonda Britton made a post asking people to spread the word that New Horizons Baptist Church in Halifax “is open for those who had to evacuate in this state of emergency.”
“We have food and necessities immediately available. And of course, the church is open for prayer,” Britton wrote. “Stay tuned for updates on possible beds for the night.”
An evacuation order for residents in Tantallon and Hammonds Plains has been in effect since Sunday when the fire is believed to have started in the Westwood area of Tantallon.
A press release from the province Tuesday morning said the fire remains out of control and is estimated to be nearly 800 hectares and may continue to spread.
“This is a rapidly moving fire. People are asked to please remain away from the area,” it said in the release.
Meanwhile in Barrington Lake and Shelburne County in Southern Nova Scotia a wildfire covering 10,000 hectares continues to burn out of control as well.
In Pubnico and Yarmouth County, a wildfire covering 59 hectares also continues to burn out of control.
The press release also gave information on response efforts to the fires, as well as a link to information about comfort centers and evacuation centers on the Halifax Regional Municipality’s website.
On Monday, Premiere Tim Houston announced the province will provide $500 to every household required to evacuate because of the fires in Halifax Regional Municipality and Shelburne County.
On Monday the province also announced a province-wide ban on open fires until June 25th.
Ongoing coverage of the wildfires is available at the HalifaxExaminer.ca, including a full roundup report in Tuesday’s Morning File.
