Emergency crews remain at the Summerside Sunbank active fire scene as of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, as the response continues.
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The City of Summerside’s latest update on the situation is that little has changed since the previous early morning update and the previous evacuation and shelter-in-place notices remain in place.
“At this stage, response efforts are essentially a waiting game while conditions continue to be closely monitored,” said the city’s latest statement. 
The city also said that water and air testing around the site is ongoing. Emergency responders are also working with the battery’s manufacturer to find the best way to fight the fire and contain it. Efforts are also underway to try and keep the fire from spreading to neighbouring batteries.
As a result of the ongoing situation, all Three Oaks family of schools were closed Sept. 8.
Credit Union Place will remain closed until further notice.
The shelter-in-place notice remains in effect. Residents in the immediate area, including Bayview Drive, Seaweed Road and South Drive, as well as anyone in other areas experiencing a noticeable change in air quality, are asked to continue following the previously issued guidance — remain indoors where possible, keep windows and doors closed, turn off ventilation systems that draw outside air into the home and avoid unnecessary travel through areas where smoke is present.
Emergency officials continue to monitor conditions and assess the situation.
While the emergency crews battled the fire, the city established a reception centre at the St. Eleanor’s Community Centre on West Drive. That facility often functions as an emergency shelter, particularly in the winter during weather warnings or blackouts, so it is kept ready to go when need be.

“It’s set up for a shelter, there are mats and blankets here and everything if needed,” said Heather Thomas with the City of Summerside, who was volunteering at the centre during the voluntary evacuation. “Right now, it’s just open if people want information, or want a coffee or a place to sit and charge up their phones or whatever.”

On Sept. 7, the first day of the Sunbank fire, volunteers opened the centre at around 1 p.m. and remained open until 9 p.m. During that time, Thomas said around five people had come in. The morning of Sept. 8, meanwhile, had been quiet. 

As the evacuation was a voluntary one, the centre was not set up to accommodate overnight stays or provide meals.

“(You can) decompress for a minute and figure out if you’ve gotta make long-term or longer arrangements, or more temporary,” said Kevin Bolton, another centre volunteer with the city.

That said, the centre was able to provide what information was available at the time for those who were in need of a place to stay until the fire was extinguished and the evacuation and shelter in place advisories lift.

When the Journal Pioneer stopped by the shelter, the fire was under control but not out, and Thomas said she expected the shelter could remain open Wednesday, Sept. 9, as well.

“When I drove here, I drove up South Drive, and I could see the smoke,” said Thomas. “It’s still actively burning.” 
In a news release from the evening of Sept. 7, Summerside Deputy Mayor Cory Snow provided a timeline of events:
Shortly before 7 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7, while initial assessments were made, a shelter-in-place was issued for the St. Eleanor’s and South Drive area due to potential hazardous smoke from the fire. Residents in that area were asked to remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and turn off ventilation systems that bring outside air into their homes.
At around 1:30 p.m., as conditions continued to be assessed and out of an abundance of caution regarding the potential for hazardous smoke, the city issued a voluntary evacuation notice urging residents within approximately 500 metres of the Solar Farm to evacuate the area.
Summerside Police Services completed door to door notices to all residents and businesses affected by the evacuation radius.
A reception centre was established at the St. Eleanors Community Centre, located at 1 West Dr., for residents who require assistance or a place to go.
“We want to be clear: The voluntary evacuation was and continues to be a precaution related to smoke conditions. The fire itself remains contained. Weather conditions appear favourable for the next 12-24 hours,” said Snow.
Summerside Fire Department, Summerside Police Services and the Provincial Emergency Measures Organization are all involved in the response and continue to monitor the situation closely.
Residents are asked to follow the direction of emergency personnel, avoid the immediate area where possible and continue watching the city’s official channels for updates.
“Thank you to our emergency responders, corresponding staff and to our residents for your patience and co-operation as we continue to manage this situation,” said Snow.
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