Forest fire on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore did not grow overnight: Natural Resources
Crew were called to the fire along Ostrea Lake Road near Musquodoboit Harbour, about 50 kilometres northeast of Halifax, on Sunday afternoon.
Firefighters were initially pulled from the forest due to dry, gusty conditions, and were redirected to focus on protecting structures.
But following some rain Sunday evening, the Natural Resources Department said the fire was being held at 30 hectares and crews would resume battling the blaze on Monday.
Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection with Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources, said the fire did not grow overnight and 20 department staff members are on site this morning.
He said no structures have been lost.
"They did a great job to contain it," Tingley told CBC's Informing Morning Nova Scotia on Monday.
"Their biggest challenge in there is kind of the scrubby, rough terrain. On the ground it's slow going. They've had to cut a lot of trails for crew safety … but they are making progress and getting hose around the fire."
Tingley said the four to five millimetres of rain received over the area Sunday evening did help. Tankers with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency are also on scene and a helicopter is on standby.
He said crews will be focused on extinguishing hot spots today. Conservation officers will also be on hand to try to determine the cause of the blaze.
Dozens of nearby homes were evacuated due to the fire, but the Halifax Regional Municipality said some people will be allowed to return home Sunday evening.
An evacuation order remains in place for Reflection Lane, Heselton Drive and Ostrea Lake Road from civic number 320 to the south as far as civic number 655.
An evacuation centre was set up at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour.
The Halifax Regional Municipality has advised those close to the fire to shut all windows and doors, turn off air exchangers and stay inside until air quality improves.
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