Water bomber from N.L. helping battle out-of-control fire in Yarmouth County

Additional help from Newfoundland and Labrador arrived Tuesday night to help crews in southwest Nova Scotia battle an out-of-control wildfire that a provincial official said may have been started by human activity.

Two helicopters were dropping water on the flames throughout the day, and a CL-415 water bomber arrived in Nova Scotia before nightfall to help with the efforts.

The Department of Natural Resources said in a tweet Tuesday night that the fire, near South Horseshoe Lake in eastern Yarmouth County, was estimated to have grown to about 1,000 hectares.

An estimate earlier in the day had put the fire, which began Monday afternoon, at about 25 hectares.

In its final update of the night, DNR said crews worked until dark. Further updates were expected to be released Wednesday.

Kara McCurdy, wildfire prevention officer for the department, said no homes or businesses were in danger. 

Because the area is so remote, DNR brought in a helicopter from Shubenacadie in central Nova Scotia to drop water on the flames.

"We're concerned with the low humidity and high winds that it will pick up, so we sent an additional helicopter," she said. 

There were two DNR crews from Shelburne and Yarmouth assisting, including 12 personnel and two pilots.

"Fire crews are currently on the flanks and the base of the fire, working their way around," said McCurdy. "A fire that size is kilometres long so it's going to take them a while to get any access."

CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon said lighter winds and higher humidity levels were on the way for Wednesday, with a chance of some light showers and drizzle.

"Conditions really aren't ideal for the crews today, with low humidity and breezy easterly winds helping to fuel the fire," Snoddon said Tuesday.

"Unfortunately, there's no substantial precipitation in the forecast until at least Sunday."

Despite light showers in the short-term forecast, McCurdy said DNR was "not optimistic."

"We're preparing for tomorrow like we did today," she said." We have aircraft on alert, both in western and in central ... because we're looking at dry conditions right through to the weekend."

McCurdy said she suspects the fire is the result of human activity because there hasn't been any recent lightning.

"We just ask that residents really follow the burn restrictions that are posted daily and not burn in the morning," she said.

"Make sure that you're checking in every day at 2 o'clock to see if you're allowed to burn. Even if you are allowed to burn and it's windy, be mindful of where you have your brush pile or campfire … because it's super dry right now." 

Aaron Pottier, fire chief for the Quinan fire department, said Tuesday because the fire is in a fairly remote area, his department had not yet been called upon to help battle the blaze. 

Pottier said there was quite a lot of smoke in the air in his community, which is located about 20 kilometres south of the fire. 

"It was thick, at times, depending where the wind was blowing, and at times it settles a little bit toward the ground a little bit more. So, yesterday afternoon around suppertime there was a fair bit of smoke close to the ground in and around the community," he said.  

"The more the wind blows, the higher up it seems to go. This morning, again it comes and goes. There's a bit of a smoke haze around, but it comes and goes and there's definitely a smell of smoke in the air." 

Environment Canada issued a warning about elevated pollution levels. According to the national weather service, satellite imagery Monday evening showed the fire was located about 40 kilometres northeast of the town of Yarmouth.

The smoke plume was staying north of Yarmouth, but Environment Canada said it could also affect air quality near Beaver River and Port Maitland.

"Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk," said Environment Canada's statement.