A forest fire that spanned more than 20 hectares in Chester Grant is now 100 per cent contained, the Department of Lands and Forestry announced almost 24 hours after it started.
The fire off Highway 12 in Chester Grant started at about 4:30 p.m. on Friday, the Department of Lands and Forestry said.
Seventeen fire departments were on scene, while three remained on standby Friday evening. Department of Lands and Forestry staff and two helicopters also responded to the blaze.
Crews left the area after 9 p.m. Friday and returned back to the scene at first light.
THREAD: Provincial wildfire fighting crews returned at first light today, May 23, to the Chester Grant, Lunenburg Co., area to fight a forest fire that started Friday, May 22. pic.twitter.com/4OL9n6cCKi
— NS Lands and Forestry (@NSLandsForestry) May 23, 2020
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, 14 fire departments and water supply tankers were on site.
"Fire activity is low and crews are working hard to contain it before conditions worsen," the Department of Lands and Forestry said, adding a provincial helicopter was helping, but has since been released from its duty.
Just before 4 p.m., the department announced the fire was 100 per cent contained, as eight lands and forestry staff, eight fire tankers and 40 volunteer firefighters remain on scene.
Due to the forest fire, Hwy 12 near #ChesterGrant is closed northbound at Exit 9. Southbound traffic is being diverted at Chester Grant Rd.
— RCMP, Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) May 23, 2020
The fire has claimed at least two structures, but no one has been evacuated, the department said.
The cause of the fire, which covered about 27 hectares, has yet to be determined.
Nova Scotia RCMP has since closed Highway 12 northbound at Exit 9. Southbound traffic is being diverted at Chester Grant Road.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal said there is no estimated time of when it will be reopened.
