Torrential rain battering the province on Wednesday and Thursday has significantly impacted firefighting efforts in Halifax County. Consequently, crew members are retreating from ongoing wildfire operations in the area.

The latest update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) indicates that the wildfire's perimeter spans 1,477 hectares and has been contained. Importantly, the fire has not expanded in recent days, and the expectation is that it will further diminish as rainstorms pass through Nova Scotia.

As a safety measure for the crews, wildfire suppression activities were paused on Wednesday. The DNR highlighted that personnel will continuously monitor the fire even during this pause. The challenging weather conditions have also restricted the use of helicopters and planes for aerial firefighting efforts over the coming days.

In an encouraging update, Mooseland Road has been reopened to the public, allowing residents to navigate the area once again. However, officials remain cautious as they evaluate the situation closely.

Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management, emphasized the seriousness of the impending weather. In a statement, she noted that forecasts predict rain accumulation between 40 to 100 millimeters on Wednesday and Thursday. Masland urged all residents to prepare for potential localized flooding and road disruptions, highlighting the risk of heavy rainfall overwhelming drainage systems, causing rivers and streams to rise, and creating hazardous driving conditions.

Another round of rainfall is anticipated Thursday morning, with rates expected to reach between 20 to 40 mm per hour, exacerbating the situation.