Financial Support for Evacuees of Lake George Wildfire
An aerial view of the Lake George wildfire Friday, October 3. (Province of Nova Scotia)
A new emergency financial support program will help residents who have been evacuated because of the Lake George wildfire in Kings County. Applications open Wednesday, October 8.
“This has been an incredibly challenging wildfire season, and the last thing we wanted was to have Nova Scotians face another evacuation,” said Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management. “We know evacuations are stressful. That’s why we’re providing financial support while residents are displaced from their homes.”
In keeping with the Long Lake wildfires in August, provincial support is available for Kings County residents displaced from their primary residence based on the number of days evacuated:
- four to seven days – $500 per adult (18 and older); $200 per minor
- eight to 14 days – an additional $500 per adult (18 and older); an additional $200 per minor
- 15 or more days – an additional $250 per week per adult (18 and older); an additional $200 per minor.
Funding will be available until the evacuation order is lifted or until the end of the wildfire season October 31, whichever comes first. The maximum amount of support is $3,000 per adult and $1,750 per minor. People who had to leave secondary homes such as cottages and camps do not qualify for funding.
As of today, October 7, 353 properties have been evacuated. Given current wildfire activity, it is not known when residents will be able to go home.
Quick Facts:
- funding will be given to those with proof of residency within the evacuation zone area
- the program will help residents cover unexpected costs while they are displaced
- the funding is in addition to services and emergency accommodations already provided through the Canadian Red Cross and the Municipality of the County of Kings
- other supports to fight the wildfires have been provided through partnerships with the federal government and other provinces
Additional Resources:
Evacuees’ application for financial support (opening Wednesday): https://emergency-financial-support.novascotia.ca/
Map of evacuation zone (as of today): https://novascotia.ca/alerts/docs/lake-george-wildfire-map.pdf
Evacuees can register at: Louis Millett Community Complex, 9489 Commercial St., New Minas
Latest information on Lake George wildfire: https://novascotia.ca/alerts/
Photos, video of Lake George wildfire response: https://news.novascotia.ca/search/all?field_topics=333
Department of Emergency Management on X: https://x.com/NSEmergency
Department of Natural Resources on X: https://x.com/NS_DNR
Province of Nova Scotia:
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