Fire crews battle 2-hectare blaze in Queens County

Fire departments from more thansix surrounding communities as well as a Department of Natural Resourcescrew and helicopter were working Tuesday to contain a blaze that engulfed two hectares of woodland in Queens County.

"At last report, there were multiple fire departments involved, six to 10," said Natural Resources spokesman Bruce Nunn.

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"A helicopter was dropping water on it [until] it got dark. It will be returning in the morning."

At 8:30 p.m., the woodland fire had not yet been contained.

Smaller fires

Another fire, in woods near Herring Cove in Halifax Regional Municipality, burned for about a half-hectare before it was contained late Tuesday afternoon, Nunn said.

Both HRM and Natural Resources fire crews were working to extinguish the blaze, he said.

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A small fire was reported in Eel Brook in Yarmouth County but was put out, Nunn said.

Burning bans

The southwest area of Nova Scotia has been experiencing a lengthy dry spell and a burning ban is in effect for Queens and Annapolis counties. That ban is extended toColchester, Cumberland, Guysborough, Pictou, Hants, Kings, Lunenburg and Halifaxcounties as well.

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Burning restrictions, which allow fires between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m.,are also in effect for Yarmouth, Digby and Antigonishcounties and all of Cape Breton island.