Halifax approves emergency exit in neighbourhood where major 2023 wildfire started – Halifax [Video]

Almost two years after a wildfire devastated a Halifax-area suburb, municipal council has approved a new emergency exit for a subdivision in the neighbourhood where the fire started.

On the afternoon of May 28, 2023, a blaze ignited in Upper Tantallon and spread quickly to engulf about 22 structures in one hour — and 128 homes in the first four hours.

The fire, which was one of many in Nova Scotia that year, eventually forced the evacuation of 16,400 people and destroyed 200 structures — including 151 homes — before being brought under control six days later.

According to a staff report presented to council, many residents of the Westwood Hills subdivision northwest of Halifax were exposed to life-threatening conditions as they got stuck in a traffic bottleneck while fleeing. The report recommends that an emergency-only access road be built to connect the subdivision directly to Highway 103, about 500 …