Mandatory evacuation ordered in Bedford, N.S. for wildfire, potential ...

A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for parts of Bedford, N.S., just outside Halifax, due to a wildfire and potential ammonia leak.

Fire crews have been battling this new fire since Tuesday evening. The area includes a dairy processing plant.

An emergency alert was sent at around 6:40 p.m. An evacuation order has been ordered for the following streets in Bedford:

Olive Avenue, Bernard Street, Estelle Avenue, Lewis Drive, Farmer’s Dairy Lane, Giles Drive, Bluewater Road, Topsail Court, Command Court, Gary Martin Drive, Lasalle Court, Castlestone Drive and Hammonds Plains Road from the intersection of Giles Drive to the intersection of Larry Uteck Boulevard.

A comfort centre will be opened at the Lions Club at Lebrun Recreation Centre at 36 Holland Ave.

Just before 8:40 p.m., a 30-minute “precautionary notice” was sent as an emergency alert for residents in the Viscount Run, starting at the intersection of Spyglass Run, up to and including Cloverleaf and Summerwood Lane.  The area is located north west of the existing evacuation area.

“Further alert will be sent if we need evacuation ordered. Please ensure you prepare your essentials and pets as required,” the alert read.

The new fire comes as Halifax Regional Municipality deals with an out-of-control and destructive wildfire that has been burning for a third day in the same area.

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That wildfire, which began Sunday afternoon in the neighbourhoods around Tantallon and Hammonds Plains, has grown to 788 hectares. The municipality confirmed Tuesday that more than 200 structures have been destroyed — about 150 of them are homes.

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place in a number of neighbourhoods, impacting more than 16,400 residents.

Tuesday evening’s fire, however, is outside of this evacuation zone.

Weather conditions in the province have been dry and windy, with no major rain in the forecast for the next few days. Temperatures are expected to warm up again on Wednesday, and jump above the 30-degree mark Thursday.

The province has implemented a province-wide ban on travel and activity in the woods. As well, the municipality is closing all wooded areas of municipal parks and municipal trails effective 8 a.m. Wednesday.