Authorities have since expanded the evacuation order to more areas. The alert, issued at 7:42 p.m., ordered the immediate evacuation of certain addresses from the Dalhousie Road intersection to 484 Moores Road, West Dalhousie Road (addresses 4530 to 6186), Thorne Road (addresses 2648 to 3408) and Medcroft Lane. Residents were advised to check in at the Bridgetown Fire Hall and bring a 72-hour emergency kit, medications, wallets and keys.
The fire broke out on Wednesday in the northern part of Long Lake, possibly caused by a lightning strike, according to the Department of Natural Resources. The flames were about three kilometers from the road and were moving northeast as of Thursday afternoon. 42 homes were initially evacuated, with about 150 residents living there. Local resident Louise Dale said she saw flames and smoke Wednesday evening that continued to burn throughout the night, and took her five cats and an 11-year-old dog with her during the evacuation, while another cat and chickens and turkeys remained at home.

Provincial and local firefighters have begun building firebreaks around the West Dalhousie Community Centre and two communications towers to prevent the fire from spreading further. Two other fires are also burning as part of the Long Lake complex, including a one-hectare fire near Hoyt Lake and a 0.3-hectare fire near Durland Lake Brook. Dozens of firefighters and helicopters are being used to control them.
The Hants County Exhibition has opened its grounds and stables to the public and livestock to help those affected. The Bridgetown Fire Department is warning residents that staying behind could not only put their lives at risk, but also the lives of firefighters. Meanwhile, several other fires are also burning in the province, including a 15-hectare fire at Suzies Lake near Halifax that has been brought under control, while six smaller fires on Birchwood Road in Oxford have been completely extinguished.