'It was just chaos': Former P.E.I. resident safe after N.S. wildfire evacuation - Action News
Home WebMail Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 04:29 AM | Calgary | -1.4°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
PEI

'It was just chaos': Former P.E.I. resident safe after N.S. wildfire evacuation

Mallori Onderwater left her home in Nova Scotia Sunday night wondering if it would still be there when she returned.

Mallori Onderwater's family had 'a rough night' as fire spread toward their home

Smiling woman and man hold two very young children dressed in white.
Mallori Onderwater, her husband Chris, and their two daughters returned home Monday morning after a forest fire forced them from their home in Middle Sackville the night before. (Submitted by Mallori Onderwater)

Mallori Onderwater left her home in Nova Scotia on Sunday night wondering if it would still be there when she returned.

Onderwater, who is from Albany, P.E.I., and now lives in Middle Sackville, was one of thousands of people who had to flee their homes as a forest fire spread nearby.

She and her husband, Chris Onderwater, gathered the deed to their house along withthier passports, their marriage licenceand other important belongings. Theywoke their two young daughters and headed to a friend's place at around 7:30 p.m. AT.

"It was just chaos," she said.

"When we got in the car to leave, it was just bumper to bumper, everyone trying to go. And the air was filled with smokeand the smell!It was crazy.It was a very strange feeling for sure."

The Onderwatersreturned to their home Monday morning, after the wind shifted and their neighbourhood was given the all-clear.

You don't realize how much you like your house, until you're thinking you might not see it again. Mallori Onderwater

"It was a rough night... You're just checking your phone constantly to see, 'Has it moved?Where's it at now?'

"You don't realize how much you like your house, until you're thinking you might not see it again."

Two burned bikes are seen beside a driveway and the ruins of a home burned by fire.
A home destroyed by fire is seen in the background in this photo from the Westwood Hills subdivision in the Upper Tantallon area, about 25 kilometres northwest of Halifax. (Mary-Catherine McIntosh/CBC)

However, the couple worries they might have to leave againif the wind changes back.

The fire was still burning out of control northwest of Halifax late Monday, with thousands of residences under a mandatory evacuation order.The evacuations cover areas of Hammonds Plains, Upper Tantallon and Pockwock, suburban communities about 25 kilometres from Halifax that are home to many people who work in the city.

Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources reported Monday afternoon that the fire was still estimated to cover 788 hectares.

No injuries reported

No injuries have been reported due to the flames, but "numerous" buildings have been affected or lost, according to Halifax fire officials.

Onderwater said friends and family on P.E.I. have been regularly checking in to make sure they're OK, and to offer whatever support they can.

"We're just gonna keep an eye on things and hope for the best," she said.

Chris Onderwater is from Alberta, where forest fires are more common. Hesaidthe experience has taught them to be more prepared in case of another emergency.

"We were able to get out of here quickly," he said. "We could have got out of our home quicker if we needed to but it was a lot of not panic, but certainly rushed decision-making as to what we need to take and the things we need with us."