A helicopter crashes by fighting a forest fire in Nova Scotia

A pilot was rescued Friday after a helicopter of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Nova Scotia crashed into shallow water while he participated in fire-fighting operations.

Other firefighters in the region quickly reached the accident apparatus in the county of Annapolis, Nova Scotia, and found the conscious pilot, according to a statement from the ministry.

The pilot was alone aboard the aircraft and spoke to the other firefighters before being taken for a medical assessment, the statement said.

We are relieved to learn that the pilot involved in the crushing of helicopter near Halifax is healthy and sounds and receives careI explained Eleanor OlszewskiFederal Minister for Emergency Management, in a publication on social networks.

The apparatus participated in forest fire-fighting operations in Nova Scotia. We are grateful to them with their service and wish them a quick and complete recovery.

The Prime Minister of Nova Scotia, Tim Houstonalso published a message wishing a speedy recovery to the pilot.

Thank you to all those who intervened so quickly to reach the aircraft and supportwrote the Prime Minister.

The helicopter crashed while he was fighting against the fire of Long Lakewhich burns uncontrollable since Wednesday in the Annapolis valley.

The fire has gone from three to four square kilometers in the last two days, forcing the evacuation of a hundred houses in the very wooded region of West Dalhousieabout 125 kilometers west of Halifax.

The authorities said the accident occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. local time. The Ministry of Natural Resources said that it would not disclose the identity of the pilot, out of respect for his privacy.

Transport Canada has been informed of the incident, the ministry said.

A spokesperson for the Halifax rescue coordination center coordinating that a cormorant helicopter had been dispatched to the scene to lend a hand.

Fear of new lights

The accident occurred after fire officials said Friday feared that new forest fires are declared in the coming days, after thunderstorms hit the province on Thursday evening and until the morning.

The director of forest protection, Jim Rudderhamexplained that lightning can penetrate deep into the ground.

The deep layers of the ground are very dryhe explained at a virtual press conference. Lightning is very powerful. She can sink into the ground and take a while to leave with fire […] It could take time to reappear.

Jim Rudderham said it was bad news for a province already struggling with 11 forest fires.

He added that the provincial authorities had asked on Thursday the help of water bombers from another province, but that these devices could not go to Nova Scotia due to the long line of thunderstorms.

The availability of water bombers is limited due to the forest fires raging in Atlantic Canada, he said.

However, Friday afternoon, the Ministry of Natural Resources announced that two Bombardiers de water CL-415 in Quebec had started working on the fire of Long Lakein the county of Annapolis, at 3:30 p.m.

David SteevesMinistry spokesperson, said helicopters used by Nova Scotia to extinguish fires are effective.

I have been a professional firefighter for over 20 years now and our helicopter resources are extremely effectivehe said. We have a very talented group of pilots.

Jim Rudderham has agreed.

The vast majority of our forest fires are easily controlled thanks to our deviceshe said. Remember that we are going through a difficult year and that all organizations are occupied at the moment, but we are continuing to investigate and examine the possible options to determine the best solution for us.

Although thunderstorms have poured out rain in certain areas, this was not enough to reduce the risk of new forest fires, said Jim Rudderham.

We accept any humidityhe added. But it is very dry there and that was not enough to help us.

David Steeves said that softer temperatures and higher humidity helped firefighters, but that The situation remains relatively explosive.

The regional municipality of Halifax confirmed on Friday evening that a fire near the lake Sisteron the outskirts of the city, was now under control.